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after-class activities

Interaction with local Indians

The best way to understand another culture is to have close interaction with the people. Our program continuously provides an opportunity to meet local Indians belonging various faiths, languages and regions, and develop an exciting relationship with them.

What IISAC Students Do
  
  • Taking the Odissi workshop
  • Acting in a film shoot in Chennai
  • Spending a few weekends in a Tamilian household
  • Going on weekend excursions with Indian friends
  • Talking to people on the street
  • Visits to the beach road in Pondy
  • Birthdays at the Hostel
  • Festivals in town
  • Having deep conversations with the students, faculty, and workers
  • Going to villages and experiencing the village life
  • Doing yoga on our terrace
  • Bartering with the salesmen in town
  • The FOOD!
  • Coming of age ceremony
  • Visiting Meenakshi Temple of Madurai
  • Sivaatri
  • Learning to cook from Indian friends
  • Performing in a Hindi Play
  • Attending hostel day at Pondicherry Engineering College
  • Witnessing Manipuri Dance performance
  • Dinner at the house of the lady who brings food
  • Seeing a French movie at Alliance Francaise
  • Teaching children at a village near PU where the tsunami had struck hard
  • Attending a talent show
  • Attending seminars on the effects of tsunami
  • Attending some pujas and other events at the Yoga Center
  • Participating in the activities of the Center for Women's Studies
  

Visiting Indian students' hostel: The Indian students staying in the University hostel always welcome our students to visit them. They also visit our students' bungalow and take them on weekend excursions throughout the region.

Visiting Indian homes: It is but natural for the young to make friends easily without regard to religion or Nationality etc., and our students are no exception. They are often invited to visit the homes of their Indian friends, have lunch or dinner together there. Even the elders in the family go out all the way to make everyone comfortable and feel at home. They are also initiated into the intricacies of various festivals and rituals whenever such an occasion arises. These visits and informal interactions give a much better insight into the lifestyle and cultural traditions of the people of India in short span of time - and practically too - than any number of books or lectures could give in a life time.

Attending Cultural Programs

IISAC students are invited to watch various cultural events organized by the Yoga Ashram. They get a good exposure to various classical performing arts that find a regular place in these programs. Quite often our students are also encouraged to involve themselves actively in these programs by participating in drama, mimicry etc.

Additionally, those desirous of learning Indian classical dance like Bharatnatyam or Indian music (instrumental or vocal) have opportunity for separate studies. During the semester they can get themselves initiated into the basic nuances of these art forms.