Before embarking on a journey, one’s life experience may have only given the soon-to-be traveler an understanding of their destination through the dull sterility of a world political map. Unless the individual has traveled abroad before, he or she has very few references to visualize and then conceptualize the nation they will visit.

In the case of the preparation seminar classes for DU Project Dharamsala, they did little to draw out India beyond the statistics and generalizations of culture, given the time restraints on the class – this occurs even when the participants bring a passion and desire to learn more about India.

However, when acadamians complain about the pedagogical value of service learning, my own experience with Project Dharamsala and those of other participants in other DU service learning projects such as Project Nepal, Project Bosnia and the Alternative Break in Mexico contradict this assertion.

The actual opportunity to travel to the community of McLeod Ganj was what made Project Dharamsala a life enhancing experience. Walking down the streets in India, you are confronted by the aspirations and ambitions of some of the inhabitants of a nation of one billion people, and a group of Tibetans living in exile. Being able to experience India in person allowed me to widen my horizons by dispelling the clouds of fear that accumulate in the void of the unknown.

Through the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement, I moved beyond the mold of a tourist and began a true interaction with the local inhabitants.

While I was in McLeod Ganj, I collaborated on designing a park that will be used as a template for other green spaces in the community. I also painted a classroom in the Yong Ling School, a local elementary school in the community.

However, I felt that I earned a lot more in the exchange by getting to know people in the community. I was able to lower my guard and open my heart to a new culture, which is the true value of the service learning programs sponsored by the University of Denver.

If you are interested in learning more about Project Nepal and Project Dharamsala, scheduled for winter interterm, there will be an informational session today at 5:00 p.m. in Sturm Hall, room 186 and Wednesday at noon in the Dupont Room of the Mary Reed Building.