Human Resources at Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement

This past summer, I had the privilege of returning to India after five years to work with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement’s Human Resources team in Mysore. Unlike a lot of my peers, Iam Indian-American and have been to India over ten times. Nonetheless, these six weeks gave me the chance to explore India from a new, purely academic lens and for a purpose other than vacationing in the comfort of my family’s home in Mumbai. I was very interested in the learning about how topics like healthcare, law, and employment were all interrelated in this international setting, and some of the lectures we had during the first week of the program challenged me to think critically about my own beliefs and even question them. 

For me, my decision to come to India meant remaining open minded and understanding that there was much more to gain from this program than just learning about Indian food, clothing, and religious customs – it was about reorienting myself as someone from the outside serving as a member of the Indian workforce. For my project, I was essentially tasked with developing a plan to better SVYM’s recruitment. What most interested me about this project is that I would get a chance to see the administrative side of an NGO, specifically the behind-the-scenes of sourcing talent. I was to collect information about the challenges faced in recruitment, research and analyze how other Indian NGOs attract talent, and create a document detailing ways SVYM could improve their own practices. To help SVYM act on some of my recommended strategies, I also designed visual content for the website, created contact information spreadsheets for potential partnerships, and collected employee testimonials to attest to the work culture. Throughout my project, though, I was mindful of the fact that, despite my observations and research, each of my recommendations had its own advantages and disadvantages based on the resources and desires of SVYM. 

Ultimately, I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the ILR Global Service Learning Program this summer and, upon reflecting on my experience, feel that I have grown both professionally and personally. I was able to see firsthand the needs and limitations of the social sector and contribute to SVYM’s mission in developing human capital, while learning a lot about myself along the way.

                                                             -Nidhi

Ayurvedic Medicine at Vivekananda Memorial Hospital

For my project this summer, I was placed at the Vivekananda Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Sargur, India. The roots of my project, however, go back to the first hospital opened by the founders of SVYM, an Ayurvedic hospital in Kenchanahalli (now reconverted to a livelihood center). Although VMH serves principally as a multispecialty hospital with allopathic care and treatment, the Ayurvedic foundation of SVYM's first hospital are not forgotten. An Ayurvedic department at VMH offers therapies, counselling, and treatment for those who seek it. With two medical philosophies under the same roof, there are often areas of confusion or disagreement for patient recommendations. My task was to work with the ayurvedic doctors, medical doctors, and counselling department to create informative materials integrating recommendations for diabetes, pre/post-natal care, and diet. During the creation of the of the posters and flipbooks for patients, I conducted extensive research, spent countless hours shadowing in the outpatient departments, went on field visits, and spoke with many experts at the hospital to obtain a well-rounded understanding of each topic. 

My work and time in India were not limited to just my pre-assigned project, however. I had the chance to MC with other Cornell students at a presentation for newly minted doctors, work on an Ayurvedic-themed calendar to be retailed for 2019, continue the work of a former program attendee on herbal medicine labels, assist in children's yearly checkups at the tribal school in Hosahalli, and travel with the Mobile Health Unit to rural hadi's in Karnataka. I made lasting connections and friendships with doctors, interns, fellow students, the canteen staff, patients, and too many others to name. These past weeks have been incredibly rewarding and challenging, and I have grown professionally, intellectually, spiritually, and personally because of it. I am forever grateful for the incredible warmth, hospitality, and wisdom shared with me by all the people at SVYM. I know I will carry this experience with me for a lifetime. 

-Joanna

HIV Prevention Sustainability Plan

This summer, I had an incredible experience and pleasure of working with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) in creating a HIV Prevention Sustainability Plan for migrant workers. The ultimate goal of my project was the reduce the prevalence of HIV among migrant workers in Mysore, India. Due to increasing globalization and industrialization in India, the demand for construction workers has increased, thus also increasing the population of job-seeking migrant workers from rural to urban areas. However, due to their migration status and often low levels of education contributing to unsafe sex practices, migrant workers also serve as the bridge population of HIV between sex workers and the rest of the population. 

Thus, the TI-Migrant Project at SVYM is dedicated to reducing HIV prevalence and increasing HIV awareness among migrant workers in Mysore. My task during my time working on the TI-Migrant Project was to first create a survey tool evaluating the impact of the HIV intervention through interviews and focus group sessions with the migrant workers during field visits. Then, through analyzing the survey data, and comparing the TI-Migrant Project to other HIV prevention interventions in India, I created a sustainability plan to promote HIV prevention behaviors among the migrant workers. 

This project has been incredibly meaningful to me and I am extremely proud to have been able to be a part of a team towards the ultimate goal of making the world a healthier place. 

-Rui

The Devaraja Market

The Devaraja Market is a cite of dozens of local vendors in the city of Mysore.  Here, you can bargain with vendors for a great deal on essential oils, holi powder, soaps, flowers, fruits, grains, spices, jewelry, and more.  The air is filled with excitement, shouting, laughter, and haggling over every last rupees.  

I especially enjoyed going to the oil vendors; they all have a vast selection of oils to choose from, some with special properties like stress reduction, sleep aid, and alleviation of body pain.  The Mysore Herbal oil smells better than any perfume I’ve ever bought in a U.S. department store, and the Blue Moon oil smells like an expensive male cologne. Overall, the Devaraja Market is a great way to experience Mysore in its purest and most unfiltered forms.  I recommend a stop to this collection of local vendors if you are ever in the area.  

-Wyndham

Prerepana Project

My project focused on evaluating the impact of the de-addiction services that SVYM provides to seven slum project areas in Mysore as part of Phase II of their Prerepana Project.  This involved field visits to these slum districts and interviews with recovering addicts, their families, and their friends.  In the interviews, I asked respondents about their drinking habits, earnings, the amount of money they spend on alcohol, their health condition, and their relationship to their families before and after their involvement with SVYM. I organized all of the data that I collect into a pdf document where each page is table with the results from the interviews.  The numerical data that was collected was then put into a spreadsheet, so that data analysis could be done.  This data analysis culminated into a report that discussed the impact of SVYM’s de-addiction services.  I found that those who were able to receive help for their addiction through SVYM’s services experienced an overall decrease in alcohol consumption, an increase in daily earnings, a decrease in daily spending on alcohol, an increase in daily spending on the family or savings, and a decrease in health issues. This suggests that SVYM’s de-addiction services have made a positive impact in the project areas they serve.  

In addition to this report, I wrote another report that discussed strategies to prevent youth substance abuse in the seven project areas.  As part of this report, I created a pdf file with suggestions for posters that could be put up around the community as part of an anti-drinking media campaign.  

Overall, I learned a lot about addiction, myself, and my privilege through my experiences in the field.  The opportunity to meet women who are struggling to raise a family with alcoholic husbands while simultaneously joining community-based empowerment groups was truly inspiring.  I cannot wait to apply what I have learned in India to my coursework at Cornell and beyond. 

-Wyndham

Malikul Muhamad BSILR'20, Labor Law

This summer I had the fortunate opportunity to visit India and work with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement and Purushotham & Associates. It was truly a humbling experience and I loved every moment—well almost every. Throughout the trip, I faced my share of challenges and I have grown so much as a result. 

As part of the program, I had two projects to study working conditions in factories and hotel establishments and alternative dispute resolution processes in India and suggest improvements to the current systems. Right from the start of working with the firm, I realized how much I would learn as I was able to be a part of a mock bargaining case with a local college and attend an actual bilateral meeting between management and union representatives. From then, I was able to sit in on client meetings, listening to HR managers discuss their issues and sometimes even giving my own insights, and attend court case hearings where I was able to see actual labor and employment cases being tried in person. I did reflect a lot on the value of my projects, specifically because the results of my projects were not as tangible as some of my peers, but I eventually realized the importance of what I was doing and the importance of the educational aspect behind them. Presenting my final deliverables and seeing the smile on the Purushotham’s faces was an incredible feeling, knowing I had made them proud.

Being in India was an invaluable experience, particularly because I was able to grow professionally, academically, and personally. Because of my time with Mr. Purushotham, I have learned so much about alternative dispute resolution, Indian labor laws, Indian factory working conditions, and HR concepts. I have also learned how to work in difficult situations and with different individuals that are not like myself, and I have learned how to get the most information from someone in the matter of 3 minutes (I’m talking about you, Mr. Purushotham). But above all, I learned what it means to emphasize with others, care deeply for them, and how to be compassionate. Seeing the hardships people face in India has really impacted the way I see things and I hope I can bring this same compassion to the U.S. with me. I hope I can use this experience to inspire other Cornell students to apply and come to India and be a part of something greater than just a resume builder. This experience has truly been a rewarding one and I will take it with me wherever I go.

Meet Raju 

Meet Raju. This man has been so incredible throughout my experience, and I hope I can say everyone else’s as well. Raju is the SVYM trusted auto-rickshaw driver that had to deal with our indecisive, confusing, and partially chaotic behinds on an almost daily basis. From driving us to Big Bazaar or to the gardens, Raju is the reason many of us had an enjoyable experience in India. For me personally, I was able to get to know Raju on a personal basis from our daily rides to and from the Purushotham office. I was able to talk to Raju about my project, Indian and geopolitical topics, the current state of affairs of the prime minister, the caste system in India, and about his and my family. From our daily rides, political talks, and samosa breaks, and meeting his adorable little girl Dhanvi, it is safe to say, Raju is one of the main reasons I loved being in India and I could not have imagined my trip without him.

-Malikul Muhamad

Eid in India

With over ten percent of India’s 1.3-billion-person population, it is no surprise that India is the third largest Muslim country. Even despite this fact, I had never imagined I’d see so many people cramped in one mosque.

I celebrated Eid Al-Fitr in Mysore, India this year—away from my family and local community. This was a very new experience for me largely because this was the first time I’d experience Eid away from home. But being able to experience another country’s culture and Eid celebration was worth the separation.

On this day of Eid, I wore my khorta and silk pants that I had gotten from Big Bazaar and was dropped off by Raju to attend the prayer. I had no idea what the Mosque nor the prayer would be like. It was an interesting experience walking with the crowd of nearly ten thousand people and climbing up the seemingly mountain of a hill where the Mosque sat to obtain a prayer spot. It was a little overwhelming. But, it was a beautiful sight. 

There were a couple things that I did struggle with, however. I quickly learned that women are sadly not allowed to enter mosques in India. It was difficult for me to wrap my head around and I felt extremely guilty for going, especially when a female Muslim student from Iowa was not allowed to come. I realized that the dissonance I was facing was a result of my adjustment to a different a culture and a different interpretation of Islam, but it left me with so many questions. Upon returning from the mosque, I did some research and talked to locals to get their perspective and understanding on this topic. I still may not agree with that interpretation of the religion, but I at least understand the local viewpoint and respect their cultural ways.

            I am really fortunate and equally glad I was able to experience Eid in this new culture. I was able to admire the beauty of Mysore and the mosque and the so many different people, listen to the khutbah (lecture), even despite not understanding any of it because it was in Kannada, and I got to spend the rest of the day with my cohort sharing this experience with them.

-Malikul Muhamad 

Curriculum Development for Teaching English to Tribal Students

Stacey Blansky, ILR ‘20

In the summer following my sophomore year, I took part in the India Global Service Learning Program with the ILR School. After briefly learning about each of the four project sites (Mysore, Saragur, Kenchanahalli and Hosahalli), I decided to work in Hosahalli because I knew that I would never get another opportunity to live in a part of India untouched by Western tourism and influence. For me, travel is about veering off the beaten path and crafting an itinerary beyond that of the typical tourist. 

In Hosahalli, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) partners with the Viveka Tribal Center for Learning (VTCL), a tribal residential school for local students of all ages. As the mentee of Dr. Ramkumar, head of tribal education at VTCL, I worked with teachers to create a standard curriculum for teaching English to students. After a few days of observation and varied attempts at leading classes, I quickly realized that teaching English was not nearly as straightforward as I had anticipated. A majority of the students had a very basic understanding of the English language, mainly limited to greetings (i.e. “Hi, how are you?”, “I am fine”). Prior to these obstacles, I expected to create lesson plans based on vocabulary lists and verb charts, a method I derived from my own personal experience with learning Spanish in grade school. 

Reflecting back on that summer, I now believe that my understanding of Kannada was so limited that I struggled to initially explain the lesson plan such that the students would understand their learning trajectory. In the end, I relied most heavily on non-verbal cues (i.e. body language, imagery, music) to communicate with the students. 

Besides my project involvement, I found living in Hosahalli to be quite unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Simply put, the school feels like a miniature university located within a tropical rainforest. There are two campuses, upper and lower, separated by a dirt road of approximately a quarter mile. Lower campus is where the canteen is located, along with the boys’ dorm and various classrooms. Upper campus houses the pavilion-style classrooms and a large field utilized for gym classes, recess, etc. Considering the remoteness of VTCL, the resources were surprisingly adequate. When I was there, there was electricity, running water and wireless internet—guaranteed about 50% of the time. There was always plenty of food, albeit a simple menu, and an even more plentiful sense of community. 

Ultimately, Hosahalli is an excellent option for those seeking both human connection and personal challenge, though I urge you to consider this site regardless because it is guaranteed to provide you with an unparalleled service experience. I would also like to give a huge thank you to ILR International Programs, SVYM, the Off-Campus Opportunities Fund, and the generous donors that made this trip possible for me.

Developing Intercultural Empathy Through Special Education in India

Greetings! My name is Terrill Malone ‘21, and I am a sophomore in the ILR School. This past summer, I traveled to India to participate in the ILR School’s Global Service Learning Program. ​The ILR India Global Service Learning (GSL) Program, in partnership with a non-governmental organization (NGO), Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), is a program that focuses on non-political, non-religious community development for the benefit of indigenous and rural people in India through effective education, accessible healthcare, and sustainable empowerment initiatives. The program also offers service opportunities in the areas of law and advocacy, human resources, and education. Before arriving in India, I spent the spring semester of my freshman year in the India GSL pre-departure course, which is designed to help India GSL students have an easier transition to Indian life and culture and prepare them to thrive in a different culture. When I arrived in India, I took some courses—Indian Culture and Civilization, Indian Work and Labor, Kannada Language, and Gender in India—and, with our group, travelled to many historically and culturally significant sites, like the Mysore Palace, the home of the King of Mysore, and Shravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrimage destination on a mountain that houses the world’s largest monolithic stone statue of Lord Gommateshwara. 

My project in India was teaching math to students with mental and intellectual impairments and disabilities at Sneha Kiran of Mysore Spastic Society, as well as conducting research on Cerebral Palsy. Sneha Kiran of Mysore Spastic Society, a partner of SVYM, is a school that serves a mission to “support, nurture and enable” children with cerebral palsy through offering services of special education, therapy and rehabilitation, family support, and community support and awareness to and for children ages four to 16.

My teachings focused primarily on functional and vocational math to help intellectually impaired students become familiar and comfortable with the use of everyday math concepts, like number identification, basic addition and subtraction, calculator and calendar usage, and monetary concepts. Working beside highly skilled, qualified, and experienced staff, I was tasked with creating baseline examinations, of which I would use to test the students’ prior knowledge, teaching the students during the school day at Sneha Kiran, and re-examining the students at the end of my project to measure their learning growth and outcomes. After working with the students for a few weeks, I found that multi-sensory integration, the use of concrete learning materials, and one-to-one teaching made a difference in the students’ learning outcomes. The students that I worked with, overall, achieved a 30-percent increase in their average score on the post-examination. I used this information to advise the full-time staff and teachers at Sneha Kiran to help them explore different ways to improve student learning. 

Joined by 15 other ILR and Global Health students, we composed a truly remarkable group, and I, as one of only two freshmen admitted into the program, am still beyond thrilled and humbled to have been chosen to participate in the program. The purposeful and passionate work that I am doing while in India, coupled with the experiences of India’s vast amount of culture and remarkable beauty, have allowed for many life changing experiences that will support my pursuit for academic, personal, and professional growth. I am confident that I left India with more knowledge, experience, passion, empathy, and love than with what I had at my arrival. After being back at the ILR School, I have decided to explore the field of Disability Rights, Disability Law, and Neurodiversity in the workplace. ILR has continued to support my newfound passion for these areas by providing me with courses like Disability Studies, Disability in the Workplace, and Labor Law and Employment. 

I thank ILR for its limitless opportunities, and SVYM and Sneha Kiran for their open arms, patience, and continued grace and partnership with us. It is because ILR took a chance on me that I had the opportunity to travel to India and so such amazing work, that I can now be impassioned in an area that interests me. I would also like to give a huge thank you to, and share my sincerest appreciation for SVYM, Sneha Kiran, and the wonderful donors, the Jill C. Goodman Fund and the Cornell Off-Campus Opportunity Fund, that made this experience possible for me. Your generous gift has afforded me the opportunity to take advantage of an impactful global learning experience that allowed me to contribute a great service to society. This experience has led me to the beginnings of my pursuit of the Global Scholar Distinction through the Global Scholars Program in the ILR School. I cannot express enough my sincerest gratitude for your kindness; because of your gift, I was able to touch the lives of many students, and have my life be impacted as well. Thank you! 

Now, I am beyond honored to share that I, as only a sophomore, will be the India GSL Teaching Assistant for ILR’s largest international program, India GSL! I look forward to returning to India in the summer of 2019! 

Nidhi D. BSILR'20, Human Resources in Mysore

Nidhi with her SVYM mentors at her project presentation.

This past summer, I had the privilege of returning to India after five years to work with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement’s Human Resources team in Mysore. Unlike a lot of my peers, I am Indian-American and have been to India over ten times. Nonetheless, these six weeks gave me the chance to explore India from a new, purely academic lens and for a purpose other than vacationing in the comfort of my family’s home in Mumbai. I was very interested in the learning about how topics like healthcare, law, and employment were all interrelated in this international setting, and some of the lectures we had during the first week of the program challenged me to think critically about my own beliefs and even question them.

For me, my decision to come to India meant remaining open minded and understanding that there was much more to gain from this program than just learning about Indian food, clothing, and religious customs – it was about reorienting myself as someone from the outside serving as a member of the Indian workforce. For my project, I was essentially tasked with developing a plan to better SVYM’s recruitment. What most interested me about this project is that I would get a chance to see the administrative side of an NGO, specifically the behind-the-scenes of sourcing talent. I was to collect information about the challenges faced in recruitment, research and analyze how other Indian NGOs attract talent, and create a document detailing ways SVYM could improve their own practices. To help SVYM act on some of my recommended strategies, I also designed visual content for the website, created contact information spreadsheets for potential partnerships, and collected employee testimonials to attest to the work culture. Throughout my project, though, I was mindful of the fact that, despite my observations and research, each of my recommendations had its own advantages and disadvantages based on the resources and desires of SVYM.

Ultimately, I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the ILR Global Service Learning Program this summer and, upon reflecting on my experience, feel that I have grown both professionally and personally. I was able to see firsthand the needs and limitations of the social sector and contribute to SVYM’s mission in developing human capital, while learning a lot about myself along the way.

Mysore: Days 1 & 2 at SVYM

GSL team members traveled through Dubai, Frankfort, Paris and Abu Dhabi to arrive in Bangalore for the ride to Mysore.  Dustin L. ILR'19 created this video to share his journey and our first two days at SVYM.  Enjoy!

2018 India Team Prior to Departure!

Ithaca group photo prior to departure.  We thank our amazing and dedicated India Teaching Assistants (front-r) Alexis P. ILR'18 and (front-l) Ore A. A&S'18.  We are grateful for all that you did to prepare the team during the spring semester--thank you both!

Team India 2018

Meet the 2018 SVYM India GSL Team!

We invite you to get to know the 2018 India GSL Team, composed of 16 students from across Cornell University's colleges.

Delaney H., ILR ‘21

Hi! My name is Delaney, and I’m a freshman at Cornell University from Southern California. I am in the ILR School focusing my studies towards inequality studies, law and society, and public policy. On campus, I am a Cornell tradition fellow, which is a scholarship program that recognizes 4% of the undergraduate population for their service background and work ethic. I am also involved in class councils and Cornell Political Union.

Growing up in Southern California, a city with great ethnic diversity, I’ve been fortunate to meet and befriend people from all walks of life, learning about their traditions and cultures. However, I’ve never had the chance to travel beyond North America. With my inclination for learning and passion for service, the GSL India program is perfectly suited to help me grow personally and academically.

I am interested in law and public policy surrounding access to adequate health care, educational opportunities, and economic advancement for women in India. I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore these interests through the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement and gain valuable experiences in India while learning about their beautiful culture and traditions!

Dustin L., ILR ‘19

Hi! My name is Dustin, and I am a junior in the ILR School with minors in Education, Leadership and Information Science. In the ILR School, I serve as a TA for ILROB 3730 and have participated in the ILR & Renmin University Summer Exchange. On campus, I currently serve as the Undergraduate Student Elected Trustee, but I have had many past experiences in shared governance at Cornell. I am hoping to enter a career where I can create more access points for quality education.

Joanna B., Human Ecology ‘20

Hi everyone! My name is Joanna, and I'm a sophomore Nutritional Studies major in the College of Human Ecology, currently in pursuit of the Global Health minor. While on campus, I also serve as a mentor for PATCH, work as a fitness monitor for Cornell's facilities, volunteer with GIAC and Bridges Nursing Home, and log countless miles with Running Club. When I'm back in my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, I also lifeguard at a local recreational facility.

As a student preparing for a career in the healthcare field, I'm eager to grow as a global citizen and help serve others. I've very excited to participate in SVYM's mission and am so thankful for this opportunity to engage in service learning this coming summer!

Malikul M., ILR ‘20

Hey everyone, my name is Malikul, and I am a sophomore in the ILR school this year with minors in business and Arabic. After graduation, I hope to work with an International NGO, hopefully working in the Middle East or South East Asia, to fight human rights violations. Eventually, I hope to either work in consulting to help develop a company's corporate social responsibility efforts, or go to law school and specialize in international law. I am looking forward to working with SYVM in India this summer to create a lasting impact in a community and help the lives of others in any way I can. On campus, I am involved in ILR Student Government, Muslim Educational and Cultural Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, and the Running Club. I am extremely excited to work alongside the GSL team in India this year!

Mark M., ILR ‘20

Hi! My name is Mark, and I am a sophomore in the ILR School. I grew up in Virginia where I became an Eagle Scout and earned a Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award. I am interested in running, biking, swimming, and camping.

Nidhi D., ILR ‘20

Hi! My name is Nidhi, and I am currently a sophomore studying Industrial and Labor Relations with minors in Business and Inequality Studies. I am looking forward to seeing my ILR coursework play out in a real-world setting while making a tangible social impact on the local communities in South India.

Though I have lived in Rochester, New York my entire life, my family is originally from India and I have visited the country many times as Indian culture is a huge part of my identity. This summer, I am excited to return and give back to the country of my heritage by working with SVYM! I have always been interested in the nonprofit sector and its role in addressing global issues, such as poverty and educational inequity. Such interests in developing human capital have recently led me to consider a career in human resources management.

Outside of the classroom, my primary involvements are Cornell Bhangra dance team and Alpha Phi Omega community service fraternity. I am also an ILR peer mentor, an editor on Cornell International Affairs Review, and a facilitator for Cornell Reflect. Furthermore, I have previously worked with the ILR Institute of Compensation Studies and am currently an undergraduate research fellow on the “Men at Work (and Family)” project with the Worker Institute.

Rona Y., Human Ecology ‘20
Hello! My name is Rona, and I am a sophomore studying Global and Public Health Sciences and minoring in Inequality Studies. I am from Boxborough, MA, in the suburbs of Boston. Last summer, I went to Kenya as the program coordinator for the Education and Social Empowerment Program. I loved immersing myself in the new culture, learning Swahili, and teaching my students as they prepared to go to American universities. This summer, I am excited to go abroad to India and learn about India's culture and healthcare system. I initially became interested in India as I worked on research with the Mehta Research Group, studying the effect of biofortified pearl millet on children in an urban slum in Mumbai, India. On campus, I have also been involved with Alternative Breaks and EARS Counseling, and serve as an undergraduate assistant for the Program in International Nutrition. I hope that my time in Mysore, India with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement will open my eyes to different perspectives and a new culture and teach me more about working in global health. I'm very excited to see the beauty of India and work with SVYM and the Cornell GSL team!

Rui M., Human Ecology ‘20

Hello! My name is Rui, and I am a sophomore pre-med majoring in Human Development and minoring in Global and Public Health. On campus, I am a research assistant for the Memory and Neuroscience lab as well as President of Debate in Science and Health. I am also involved in the International Students Union and the Cornell Undergraduate Asia Business Society.

After taking a course in Cultural Psychology in my freshman year at Cornell, my interest in global affairs was sparked. This led me to pursue a summer internship performing research for the Culture and Self Lab in Vancouver, BC as well as participate in a week long medical brigade in Lima, Peru, this past winter. This semester, I am really looking forward to learning more about Indian culture and language in preparation for working with SVYM in the summer!

Sameer N., Human Ecology ‘19

Hi! My name is Sameer, and I am a junior in the College of Human Ecology studying Human Development with a minor in Global and Public Health. When I am not avoiding my academic responsibilities by hiding out in Libe cafe, I can be found doing research in the Canfield lab, camping out in Baker Lab, or singing with my a cappella groups, Cornell Tarana and the Class Notes. I also serves as the Vice President of Recruitment for Phi Delta Epsilon, Cornell's pre-medical fraternity. I am honored to be participating in the Global Health Service Learning Project for the upcoming summer. I am excited to go to India this summer since it's been 17 years since I went last!

Simran M., Human Ecology ‘20

My name is Simran, and I am a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology majoring in Global and Public Health Sciences.

Born to Indian immigrant parents, I have grown up in Dubai and New Jersey. In 2016, I graduated from Millburn High School with high honors and awards in Creative Writing and Music. I am a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and continue to volunteer at the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad.

This past summer, I worked at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where I did statistical analysis for the admissions office. I am involved in various groups across Cornell's campus: I am the head of client marketing for the independent newspaper The Cornell Daily Sun, junior consultant for Social Business Consulting, an undergraduate research assistant for the Seguin Research Group, a member of Kappa Delta sorority, a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Nutritional Sciences (for NS 1600), and a Dean's List Scholar.

For now, I plan to pursue an MD/MPH with a focus on either geriatric health, maternal health or oncology. I want to practice medicine and consult for organizations like the CDC and WHO. My experiences of growing up as an expatriate, playing clarinet at rehabilitation centers and hospices, helping senior citizens with technology as well as shadowing doctors, being an EMT and working at a medical school has lead me to have a diverse perspective that I know will be valuable to the healthcare field. I know I will be able to fulfill my childhood dream of being a doctor as well as my new dream of being a global health activist.

The Global Health Summer Program in India will allow me to gain exposure and the understanding of healthcare accessibility in the indigenous and rural setting of southern India. I want to see how the health care industry can help create a sustainable model for the empowerment of local communities. I want to understand how traditional practices like Ayurveda intertwines medicine. Also, I seek to go to Mysore to become more culturally aware, to maybe trump my own misinformed perspectives I have as an Indian-American. I see this experience being a turning point in my global and public health journey—a culmination of my education at Cornell.

Stacey B., ILR ‘20

Hi there, my name is Stacey, and I am a sophomore transfer in the ILR School at Cornell. I transferred into ILR after spending my freshman year at Binghamton University (Go Bearcats!).

I am considering a minor in anthropology, but I also have a passion for journalism, a hobby that I began in high school and continues today as a writer for the Cornell Daily Sun.

Besides writing for the Sun, I work for the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management as a student writer intern. If it is not yet evident, I hope to one day find a career that allows me to pursue my love for writing, potentially on an international scale.

In my spare time, I like to run, swim and do yoga. I also like to listen to talk radio and have intellectually stimulating conversations with others.

I thought that, by traveling across the world and living for six weeks in an entirely new culture, the India Global Service Learning program would be a good personal challenge. Similar to my past travels, I think this will be an excellent opportunity for growth, as well as a learning experience for both myself and the communities that my ILR peers and I will be working with.

Talia M., Human Ecology ‘20

I'm Talia, and I'm a sophomore Global & Public Health Sciences major in the College of Human Ecology. I'm from Westchester, NY and I came to Cornell as a Global Health major, because I'm interested in population health and one day hope to be a doctor. Some of the areas of global health I am particularly interested in are maternal and child health, as well as food security. I'm looking forward to working in India this summer, because I love traveling, meeting new people, and exploring cultures different than my own. My favorite things to do are to dance, practice yoga, read, and draw. On campus, I am involved in BASE Productions dance team, Anabel's Grocery, and I am the chair of Health and Wellness of Kappa Alpha Theta.

Terrill M., ILR ‘21

Hi! My name is Terrill, and I was born and raised in Canton, MI. Currently, I am a freshman in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. My future goal is to work within the legal profession, with my beginnings focused in corporate law. Cornell is an awesome university that offers endless opportunities for any individual to expand his or her horizons. I am both thankful and honored to be chosen to take part in such a program, such as the India GSL Program. Each day, I am met with reminders of why I chose Cornell, but perhaps, what is more significant, are reminders of why I have come to love Cornell!

In addition to working hard in the classroom, I believe that it is just as important to make an impact outside of the classroom. I participate in many different extracurricular activities: Student Assembly committees, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ithaca, P3, Black Students United Black History Month committee, and the ILR ambassador program, to name a few. In fact, my presence outside of the classroom has been essential in connecting me to this program.

I want to participate in this program because it will allow me to establish a deeper understanding of the culture and functions of the world. Today, and now, more than ever, it is necessary to have a global experience and understanding because of the continued evolution of work and society. Foreign relations around the world are more tense than ever, but this program is necessary to rebuild the community of people that is the world. The world is much larger than Cornell and the United States. This program will introduce myself, and the other amazing Cornell students of the India Team, to the world that is beyond the limits of our own. This program will help me to establish a deeper base of understanding of the societies outside of those in which I exist; this experience will open my eyes to the uniqueness and beauty of the world!

Tony M., ILR ‘20


My name is Tony, and I’m excited to be a part of the Global Service Learning Program in India for 2018! As a sophomore transfer, I came to ILR to study human resource management practices in an international context. From my hometown of Queens, New York, I’ve been fortunate to experience a wide variety of cultures and make friends from all corners of the globe. During my free time, I enjoy playing and listening to music, cycling, and practicing kendo. Throughout this program, I hope to experience India’s rich culture, as well as participate and observe first-hand SVYM’s work throughout the country.

Vanessa L., ILR ‘20

Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I was born and raised in Nebraska, the center of the Midwest. I am currently a sophomore in the Industrial and Labor Relations School (ILR) with intentions of going to law school. My interests lay in the realm of peace and conflict studies, international human rights, and economic and community development. Being first generation of a family from Honduras, and frequently visiting the country, I have grown to have a deep love for third world nations. My desire is to be of service in places like my beloved Honduras. Thus, I’m really looking forward to diving deep into Indian society and culture, and learning new effective methods of impacting people around the world, as well as attaining the skills necessary to engage with global poverty. Not only do I want to gain a unique intellectual depth, but a unique depth in my mentality around less developed countries.

On campus, I am involved in an organization called the Early College Awareness, where as a team of students we visit schools to encourage and inform students of all ages to pursue higher education and develop an interest in college readiness. I am also an ILR ambassador, which is a group of student volunteers that host and inform prospective students in joining the ILR family.

Wyndham E., ILR ‘20

Hello! My name is Wyndham. I am from Virginia Beach, Virginia and am currently a sophomore in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. On campus, I am heavily involved in Cornell University Mock Trial Association and am serving as the tournament director for the organization this year. As a Hunter Rawlings III Presidential Research Scholar, I have also engaged in undergraduate research regarding voting policy and voter fraud in America these past three semesters. Before class, I love serving up lattes and cappuccinos as a barista a Libe Café.

When I was initially admitted into the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, my interests were focused on social justice and reducing socioeconomic inequality more generally. However, my time at Cornell as an ILR major have led me to become passionate about social justice as it relates to workers specifically. I firmly believe in the idea that in order to have a stable society, everyone needs to have access to a job that provides safety, security, and a livelihood. Employment issues are the root to so many of the other social problems that plague our society.

With that being said, what sparked my interest in the GSL program was its focus on disability studies. After working as a nanny for a special needs child for five years, ensuring that the needs of those with disabilities are met and their potential understood is something I am extraordinarily passionate about. This summer, I look forward to learning more about Indian culture and the impact the SVYM has in the community, especially for those with disabilities.