Last post in India!
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and the plan for Saturday/travel home
Wednesday-
This day started off very low key. We met with our professor Alok Gupta in one of the ISB classrooms and we did a case study on eChoupal. Then we drove to eChoupal-about 45 min away in the city and they taught us about their service of creating these kiosks for farmers in rural areas. These kioks educate the farmers about when to plant, harvest, and care of the crop as well as allows them to use the internet to check the market prices domestically as well as internationally. I found this site visit very interesting as I am from a rural background myself and their ways of educating and helping the farmers is astounding.
After lunch, Reema Gupta spoke to us about the Societal Impact of IT in Emerging Economies. This was also very interesting and we all realize how huge the India economy is expanding as well as a future possible superpower or player.
At night we went out to a few different clubs and restaurants for Austeja's 22nd birthday which actually occured on Monday but she actually got quite sick for a few days and we didn't want to risk her getting more sick. Now we have another classmate that is sick but for the most part I think he is just run down and might have had a small intestinal infection but nothing to worry about!!!
Thursday-
HOLIDAY! Today is a national holiday which everyone went on the roof-tops and flew kites! It was quite a sight! So because of this we went on a tour of the city. This day was probably the day that wore us all out the most as we walked up 320 stairs in the Golconda Fort. We also visited a place called the Birla Temple,as well as the Charminar Monument (the monument that Hyderabad is known for).
It really hit us yesterday on how "famous" we are over here for having light colored skin and a few of us that have blonde hair. I think I had .at least 50 people take pictures of me...whether it was asking me to be in a picture with them, take one by myself, or them taking out their phones and trying to discretely take it over their shoulder. It was almost tiring for all of us to deal with it but also funny how different they view visitors compared to us in the US where diversity isn't a problem or occasional occurance. The funniest photo I had taken of me was of this older man and his son who was about 7. First they took a pic of me and them while the man was holding his son.Then he asked me if I would hold his son-which was quite awkward because this was not a small young boy-he was probably 7 and could definitely stand himself.ha! very weird!!
We were all very exhausted after these long tours and came back, ordered pizza because we were too lazy to walk anywhere and fell asleep early..
Friday--
Last full day of India, ISB, Hyderabad and fun! (then its back to the 2nd semester boo!)
Today we had two very cool site visits. First we went to Microsoft and talked about a few of the new products they are launching as well as how they do business in India and IT perspective. The building was right next to ISB so it was a very short trip!
Then we went to a gorgeous "campus" of Infosys where we learned about their consulting service to IT companies and the other stuff they do for their clients. We also got a tour of the campus where like google it has a persons every need right there within their walls. Very cool site visits and very informative.
We just got done making a "bollywood dance video" of the 4 girls and two of the guys on the trip for the video challenge that we are sending in for International Programs at Carlson. It was SO much fun, we dressed up and did typical dances moves to a Bollywood song. I will have to post it on here once it's finished if I can!!!
Now I am going to get ready and go to our final dinner right here where we are staying near the executive housing which has been a fabulous place to stay as well. We will probably go out tonight for one last time as well afterwards.
Finally-this will be my last posting in India!!!! Tomorrow morning we are planning on going to the markets that we only stopped at briefly on Thursday to get final items such as scarves, jewlery, purses, household items and maybe spices. Our plane departs at 5:50 our time so we leave for the airport at 2;30 here and we land in Minneapolis at about 10 am (your time) on Sunday. I can't believe it is almost over! SAD! Well I am looking forward (not) to the 30 hours of travleing that we calculated we will be spending driving, waiting, layover(ing) and flying to get back home. I
It has been an amazing trip and one I will never forget! I will most likely add pictures and maybe the video once we get back to feel free to check in again!
Be home soon!