2008 Woodie Awards
Indian students celebrate old traditions in new home
Maggie Willis
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: A&E
It's not just getting over jet lag or homesickness. It's not just withstanding stereotypes. It's not even just adapting to the culture. No, for Indian students at SIUE, it's all this combined, and more.
For graduate student Harsha Thota, president of the Indian Student Association, originally from the metropolitan city of Hyderabad, India, culture shock has been one of the hardest parts of coming to SIUE.
"The most difficult thing would be to adjust to the cultural differences," Thota said. "And the food is one of the most difficult parts. We are used to spices, and food here is plain and mostly smooth."
Another obstacle for him to overcome was the differences between school systems.
"In India, the classroom mostly is different," Thota said. "Here we get to choose our classes, but there the syllabus is fixed. Indian classes also require students to stay in a classroom for nine mandatory classes."
On the other hand, sophomore Reena Limbachia, a medical science major, said the biggest challenge has been leaving her friends and extended family behind.
"I miss a lot of my friends, my cousins - oh, I miss them so much," Limbachia said. "They're growing up, getting married, and I'm missing it. And family is so important to me."
Almost all of the Indian students left behind more than their home. They left their friends, their family, their very way of life and it's a great challenge adjusting to all of the changes at once - but the Indian Student Association is there to help.
Senior Dennis Dodigarla, ISA vice president and electrical and computer engineering major, said he joined ISA because he wanted to help new Indian students through the culture shock of leaving India behind to come to SIUE.
"I feel culture shock and I want to help those who feel it, too - like the freshman who come here," Dodigarla said. "We are all like family here because we miss our family at home."
Thota said he joined the organization for similar reasons.
For graduate student Harsha Thota, president of the Indian Student Association, originally from the metropolitan city of Hyderabad, India, culture shock has been one of the hardest parts of coming to SIUE.
"The most difficult thing would be to adjust to the cultural differences," Thota said. "And the food is one of the most difficult parts. We are used to spices, and food here is plain and mostly smooth."
Another obstacle for him to overcome was the differences between school systems.
"In India, the classroom mostly is different," Thota said. "Here we get to choose our classes, but there the syllabus is fixed. Indian classes also require students to stay in a classroom for nine mandatory classes."
On the other hand, sophomore Reena Limbachia, a medical science major, said the biggest challenge has been leaving her friends and extended family behind.
"I miss a lot of my friends, my cousins - oh, I miss them so much," Limbachia said. "They're growing up, getting married, and I'm missing it. And family is so important to me."
Almost all of the Indian students left behind more than their home. They left their friends, their family, their very way of life and it's a great challenge adjusting to all of the changes at once - but the Indian Student Association is there to help.
Senior Dennis Dodigarla, ISA vice president and electrical and computer engineering major, said he joined ISA because he wanted to help new Indian students through the culture shock of leaving India behind to come to SIUE.
"I feel culture shock and I want to help those who feel it, too - like the freshman who come here," Dodigarla said. "We are all like family here because we miss our family at home."
Thota said he joined the organization for similar reasons.
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