Jain Study Center NC Raleigh 1999 08 Twenty Years

Author(s): Jain Study Center NC Raleigh
Publisher: USA Jain Study Center NC Raleigh

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A World of Opportunities
The Jain Study Center of North Carolina has been fortunate to have many young adults who have chosen to undertake a variety of community service projects. Below, two young adults tell of their experiences overseas, in learning and community service.
Community service overseas or here in the US can be a rewarding experience and provide you with new opportunities and skills. For more information about community service experiences and opportunities, feel free to contact our experienced youths Nisha Varia (919) 929-6726, Surabhi Shah (919)-858-0401, Purvi Shah (919)-847-3447, Ami Zota (azota@email.unc.edu) or (910) 864-2131, and Sejal Zota srz201 @is7.nyu.edu or (910) 864-2131.
My Study Abroad Experience in Madagascar by Ami Zota
During my junior year at UNC-Chapel Hill, I decided to study abroad in the country of Madagascar, the island off the southeast coast of Africa. I chose Madagascar because I wanted to travel to a French speaking African country where I could study environmental issues. Madagascar is approximately the size of California, and is known both for its unique blend of culture and its diverse environment. The entire program lasted 16 weeks. I spent roughly half of my semester in the capital city Antananarivo.
While in the capital, I lived with a Malagasy family. Our time was divided between seminar classes at the local university and taking intensive language training in both French and Malagasy (the indigenous language). Madagascar was once colonized by the French, so French is the official language; however, 80% of the country still only speaks the indigenous language Malagasy. Our language and culture seminars also involved several field excursions. This country has 18 different ethnic tribes; some ethnic groups are more influenced by African culture whereas other groups seem more Indonesian. There are also many different ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to savannahs to the desert so it was very crucial for us to travel so that we could really understand this country. For example, one field excursion included a home stay with a rural rice-farming village in the southern part of the country.
The last four weeks revolved around an independent study project. I chose to travel to a small town on the outskirts of a deciduous forest in the west. I worked with a local women's collective and the international organization Conservation International in their efforts to create a sustainable mango-drying business. For my independent research project, I used a combination of interviews along with forest reconnaissance visits to complete a case study of this conservation development project. I assessed the potential impact of this project both on the local community and overall forest conservation efforts in that region. Through my fieldwork, I learned about the nature of environmental issues in developing countries, and the complexities that arise when people are the primary threat to the forest.
Overall, my semester in Madagascar was an extremely rewarding experience. The structure of this program emphasized learning from experience rather than from books, and I found that to be a very appropriate framework to use in a country like Madagascar. I worked independently, my research remained challenging, and the lessons and insights I gained will always stay with me.
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Jain Education Intemational