Alankar: Arts in India was an incredible introduction to a diverse and at times, overwhelming, country. Our group, under the direction of UMASS professor Ranjanaa Devi, was able to both study the country and experience it. Traveling through both the north and south, our group was exposed to India through its people, food, historical sites, museums, classical traditions (such as dance and martial arts), cities, and villages, among other things, in order to attempt to understand such a remarkable and immense nation.

As a history major, I was pleased with the academic focus of the trip—forgetting the scholarly aspects however, the trip provided a number of humorous and unforgettable memories, such as riding an elephant, sleeping in the desert, watching local artisans at their skill (from carpet-weavers to miniature painters), meeting crowds of school children, and dancing with gypsies. Alankar, apart from being an exciting and informative trip, was an altogether life-changing experience.

Kelly Basner - University of Massachusetts Student