October 28, 2009
Study abroad experience combines multiple disciplines into one adventure
‘India stole my heart,’ student says
Erin Richter, a graduate student in nutritional science, stands with children in a rural village in India. Richter traveled to Bangalore, India in the summer of 2009 to study topics relating to food science, human nutrition and diet, entrepreneurship, and agriculture. Contributed photo. |
By
Laura Dillavou
Erin Richter described it as “instant love.” It wasn’t in regards to person or thing, but rather a place – specifically, the state of Karnataka, India, located in the southern region of the country and home to a unique mix of high-tech industries and deep-rooted farming tradition.
Richter, a graduate student in nutritional science at Iowa State University, along with six students and faculty advisor Manju Reddy, associate professor in food science and human nutrition, journeyed to the outer lying regions of the city of Bangalore for four weeks to address nutritional issues, food security, watershed, and entrepreneurial activity with men, women, and children. Over the past two years, eleven Iowa State students have traveled to Bangalore through study abroad trips billed as “Food and agriculture in India: Service learning opportunities in nutrition, entrepreneurship, and development.” Students can sign up now for a third trip that will embark in May.
“We were very welcomed into their community and homes right away,” Richter said, referring to her hosts in Karnataka. “It took a little time to get adjusted to all the cultural differences, but I think that was expected. Our peers from Bangalore University were extremely helpful; they were our guides, our translators, and became our friends. Throughout the trip, they learned from us and we learned from them.”
While in the rural areas of Bangalore, the group of students split up into three teams that studied local agriculture practices, diet and nutrition, and development of small businesses. Richter examined agriculture and how it affected diet. Her group spent time working with farmers, exchanging ideas and strategies for farming and harvesting practices. The qualitative and quantitative data gathered during the trip was brought back to Iowa State for further analysis.
“Even though it was a group of college-age females talking with male farmers about updated farming methods, they were very interested to hear our perspective,” Richter said. “And for us, they were able to tell us, first hand, about the challenges they face – and overcome. Their personal accounts and perspectives can’t be found in text books. They gave us the sort of education we couldn’t find on campus. In the end, I think and hope we were able to learn from each other.”
Another main initiative of the trip was working with women in self-help groups. These agriculture-based groups are run by women for women who want to start selling their goods or services within the community. Advancing home-grown businesses adds to the development of India as a whole and empowers the women, who have traditionally served in a secondary role, Richter said.
“There are still some gender issues, but for the most part, women are now seen as playing an important role in the local economy,” Richter said. “Working with them was very eye-opening and completely changed what I think I can do for others. They were so grateful for our help and that’s not always the feeling you get here [in Iowa.]”
The area of Bangalore, like much of India, faces a cultural and technical divide between traditional careers, such as farming, and the boom of industry and technology. As the city grows, Richter said it is more important than ever to help those in traditional roles know the most efficient and best ways to go about their trade.
“One of the trends in this area is leaving agriculture to go work in the city,” Richter said. “That means more opportunities for farmers, but they need to know how to best run their land and produce quality foods to feed others. The growth of jobs and industry is good, but the answer is not that simple.”
Richter now shares her experience with others through class and church presentations. She said it was a life-changing trip that not only solidified her passion for diet and nutrition, but one that continually reminds her to lead a life of purpose.
“Seeing the effect of diet on people’s lives – and knowing I could help better their lives through nutrition – was critical to me,” Richter said. “I have a new perspective on making life meaningful for myself and others. From the moment I stepped off the plane, India stole my heart, and I’d go back tomorrow and do it all over if I could.”
