The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : They come, they clean, they learn

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

They come, they clean, they learn

Staff Reporter

U.S. students in city as part of ‘Semester at Sea’ programme

— Photo: V. Ganesan

Clean act: Visiting American students paint the walls of the government primary school at Kannigapuram on Monday.

CHENNAI: For the 30 visiting American students, the Government Adi Dravidar Primary School at Kannigapuram near Vyasarpadi gave the first feel of Chennai on Monday. The students from the University of Virginia, the U.S.A., were in the city as part of the ‘Semester at Sea’ programme.

Soon after M.V. Explorer docked at the Chennai port, the students went to the school, where a surprise awaited them. They were received with a traditional floral welcome and music. The event was co-ordinated by non-governmental organisation Human Rights Education Movement of India.

Facelift to school

After a tree planting ceremony, the students rolled up their sleeves to scrub and paint the walls and gates of the school, which was in dire need of a facelift. Ken Balla, a sociology student, said it was the sixth country that he was visiting since the beginning of the semester in August. Though Chennai and its traffic are new to Ken, he is looking forward to tasting the spicy food said to be served here, and meet more people over the next few days during his stay in the city.

While some of the students were busy whitewashing and painting the walls, a few others managed to strike a conversation with the curious children. For Lorriana Liss and Cecily Connor the programme provided an opportunity to explore different countries and understand different cultures and people. “I have heard about the fascinating beauty of the Taj Mahal. I am planning to visit it before I leave India,” said Lorriana excitedly.

Team leader Jean Ballantine said the programme was the best means for the students to understand the world around them. Besides theoretical classes on topics such as ‘global sociology’ and ‘international economics’, such visits give them a learning experience.

Founder director of Human Rights Education Movement of India Henry Thiagaraj said they plan to visit other cities, including Delhi and Kolkata, and also get involved in social service projects during their stay till October 19.

The organisation has been co-ordinating such programmes for 16 years now. Former judge of the Madras High Court V. Kanagaraj and headmaster of the school V. Nallapan participated in the programme.

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