On a sticky afternoon,outside the gates of St Stephens College,a group of foreign exchange students are trying to explain their address to a rickshaw-puller. The rickshaw wallah grins,as if all set to take them for a ride in more ways than one. The language barrier is a major problem for us, explains Kim Morill,a second-year student,who has come down to the Capital from Connecticut. But we plan to take Hindi lessons soon. Its a fascinating language,almost as fascinating as this city. As Delhi University plays host to many foreign students,it seems to go all out to give them a taste of the countrys culture. The students,who are battling power cuts,spicy food and lazy cows in order to try and make their way around the city,are not complaining. At least for now. The university has been reaching out to students abroad through collaborative programs and student exchange for quite some time now. DU has also collaborated with universities all over the world,which include University of New South Wales in Australia,Lund University in Sweden and Waseda University,Japan. Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) is also following the league by setting up the Office of International Program this year to make things easier for the foreign students. The college recently organised a special orientation for the foreign students. We basically want to familiarise these students with the Indian way of life,teach them a bit of Hindi and organise trips to heritage monuments around Delhi. We are also preparing them for the culture shock. They are going to be confused and anxious due to loss of familiar cues of social interaction. said Kanika Khandelwal,Coordinator,Office of International Program,LSR. Jason Bent,who is from Madison,Wisconsin,is having a tough time beating the Delhi heat,while Sedona Bianca Chinn,20,who is from the St Anselm College,USA,and is staying at the LSR Hostel,feels that it is very difficult to survive without air conditioning. But the people here are so friendly. A few Indian girls took us shopping right away, smiles Chinn. In spite of the hot and humid Delhi weather,the students are slowly beginning to like the city. Its a little hectic as compared to back home and I love the food but Ive suffered the spicy food a couple of times. Now,I am scared to try out any street food, laughs Bent,who is a part of the Brown-in-India Program We went to Chandni Chowk and had these delicious things called jalebis, exclaims Margaux Carblancq,20,who has come to India from the University of Paris 8 in France. The students are also spending their evenings walking around Khan Market,and visiting Lodhi Garden. Everything is so warm and welcoming. Weve had to make way for cows and horses on a busy street. That is quite amazing, says Xixi. Most of the students will be here till January,after which they go back home to their old lifestyles. I miss home but Id definitely love to come back to India, says Jason.
