Before embarking on a new phase of life – the post-college “real world” as they call it – I wanted to stop and put my career goals into perspective. I wanted to push myself to understand how I fit into the bigger picture of India’s development and globalism. I wanted to connect with people who question their role as Indian Americans, and who are often pigeonholed into careers as lawyers, doctors, engineers. As I searched for an outlet, I asked myself how I can leverage my knowledge and skills to achieve more than just a successful professional career. I found that outlet through a program called InSPIRE 2008.

I spent six weeks last summer with InSPIRE, questioning, observing, and reflecting. Under the leadership of Indian Americans who have spent a significant amount of time exploring India, I found the perfect balance between comfort and challenge. I worked with my hands – building, farming, cooking, and creating. I experienced the first rains of Gujarat’s monsoon season during our stay in the largest slum community of Ahmedabad. I questioned the relevance of teaching English to children living in a Madhya Pradesh farming village. I performed surya namaskar¹ in the mountains near Mussoorie and sat wide-eyed on the spotless New Delhi metro.

Before leaving Texas for India, I did not think I was capable of taking this journey. Trips to India with my family have always been comfortable and routine. I visit my relatives in their big city flats and am fed into oblivion. Every time, I would return to the US feeling like I saw India through an outsider’s perspective. Sure, I noticed the people living on the street, in their ripped ganjis² and unkempt hair. I felt awkward when street kids begged me for money or food. But the next second, my mind would be back in the taxi, focused on what the latest fashion trends must be, or how amazing it is to see Western style development all over Indian cities. Like most of upper-middle class Indians and NRIs, I compartmentalized the problems and moved on with my vacation and, quite frankly, with my life. After all, what could I really do?

InSPIRE was not about trying to solve issues like education, healthcare, and poverty that exist in our new “shining India.” It did, however, expose me to what the actual issues are, what people are doing to conquer them, and what role I could play in the solution. InSPIRE 2008 was my summer – the first one in a long time when I did something for myself rather than for my resume. The ten participants of InSPIRE 2008 went to India for different reasons, but we came back with a new perspective, an open mind, and the tools to begin the process of understanding. If you have always felt a connection to India and want to explore it, I would highly recommend this program.

Look deeper at India. Look deeper at yourself and the interrelatedness of the world. Question your assumptions. Explore your values. Connect to your roots. Relate to humanity. Live what you believe.

InSPIRE College is a 5-week long summer program in India for South Asians between the ages of 18 and 24, who are genuinely interested in exploring themselves and India.
Program Dates: June 26 to August 2, 2009

InSPIRE Young Professional is a 2-week long program in India for South Asians between the ages of 25 and 35, who are looking to re-evaluate their aspirations and find meaningful ways to interact with India.

Program Dates: July 3 to July 17, 2009

Watch our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIZj9BNrn90

Applications are due March 9th. Download yours at www.InSPIRE-Now.org.

If you would like to hear more or have any questions, please email me at sneha.sheth@gmail.com. Or contact the InSPIRE team at info@inspire-now.org.

1. Surya namaskar is a yoga routine referred to as a sun salutation in English

2. A ganji is a men’s undershirt.

Photo Courtesy: Sneha Sheth

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