Beginner, Lucknow, 2011

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A poster that advertised for an interest meeting on Howard University’s campus.

I wanted to study to Urdu to gain language and cultural experience. I also wanted to study Urdu because with knowing Urdu I can reach a broader audience than with only learning Hindi. I plan to use my target language with my future law profession.

I plan to go to law school in the fall of 2012 and become a lawyer. I would like to use Urdu in my law profession dealing with international law and (or) homeland security.

I am a beginner in my target language. I am currently using it to learn how to speak better on various social levels.

I will use my language in the future through self study, other courses (in college), and in everyday use with people I know or people I interact with. Beyond everyday interactions I plan to become fluent in the language enough to use it in my future profession.

Participation in the CLS Program has helped me to understand exactly where I want to be and what I want to do. It has opened my eyes to problems beyond the United States. I have also learned a lot about the Indian culture that I was completely unaware of before. The water, pollution, treatment of women, and education system are very visible issues that could be helped. I have learned to understand a culture and respect it instead of judge it, and that people are very quick to judge other cultures. My participation has not changed my career goals but has made me ore passionate about them.

Experiencing Indian culture and seeing how people here communicate and interact with one another was one of my favorite parts of studying here. I have also very much enjoyed my emersion experience. Nothing is better than being hands on outside of your comfort zone.

I have learned that religion is extremely important here. Based on religion, people eat different things and treat people certain ways. I have learned that caste system is still continued India. The standard of living in India is extremely different from that of the U.S. I have also learned that no matter what language one speaks, we all communicate the same regardless of religion, nationality, or economic or social status.

One of my most memorable experiences was going to the Taj Mahal. There is a certain time you don't go out in India because of the extreme heat. That time is from about noon to five o'clock...Especially in June and definitely in Agra.
We arrived in Agra and settled in an hour and a half past midnight. The hotel we were in was just for the night but it ended up being five minutes from the Taj Mahal, which was great. We all decided to wake up at five to see the sunrise over the Taj. This was a good plan because we were there before the crowds and the dead of heat. At the Taj, we got a guide who showed us a few of the allusions, etc. It was absolutely amazing!

Thus far my favorite word is "rastaa", which means “path” or “way.” We are all trying to find our way and (or) we are all on a path. I think that thought is important and therefore the word "rastaa" is as well.

I grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Interestingly I have lived across the street from my grandmother (my mother’s mother) since I was in the 5th grade and three of my aunts live in Oklahoma City, too. We have all grown very close and family has become important to me because of our closeness. Interests of mine include: watching romantic comedies (or other movies), bowling, freestyling for fun, leading young people, and creating/finding an adventure in any city.

This is a great program I have already recruited worthy students to apply to. I loved it, and will continue to spread the joy.