Hi from Cam, Co-Director (Ladakh)
Jullay from Ladakh!
I want to use this brief introduction to extend a warm welcome from such a unique part of India! I have been living in Ladakh since July and I am thoroughly excited to be able to share this amazing experience with you. Although I will only be joining you for the last third of your program, the world of opportunities and adventures that Ladakh offers will provide us with plenty of time to get well acquainted!
Ladakh, originally known as La Dags or "Land of Passes," is an isolated mountain environment that offers a distinct combination of culture and geography. Be aware that it is not your "typical" India with the smells, the colors, the overcrowding, the pollution – Ladakh is quite different indeed. But that is exactly what makes it such an indispensable part of your semester program! Your time here will expose you to the vast cultural variations that are present in India, sometimes region-to-region, sometimes village-to-village.
Having been born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, I spent most of my youth traveling from one frigid ice rink to another, fully consumed by the sport of ice hockey. However, when I departed to New York for college I opted to pursue other interests. Immediately upon entering Colgate University, I was overwhelmed with the opportunities at my fingertips and after a period of sampling different clubs and organizations, I became heavily involved with the Outdoor Education program.
With this newly developed focus, I spent a great deal of my time at school leading backcountry trips and teaching wilderness activities to both students and professors. In my junior year came yet another pivotal point for me - I chose to leave Colgate and journey to India for a semester program. Although I had been interested in eastern philosophy and religion since high school, my science concentration college had not allowed me to academically explore these interests much as I had hoped. India seemed like the perfect chance to do so. The Colgate program focused on traditional dance, Carnatic music, yoga theory and practice, Indian philosophy, and batik art. Residing in the bustling city of Chennai, it was challenging for us to even reach the grocery store down the street! The culture, the people, the energy fascinated me - I knew then that I would come back as soon as I completed my studies at Colgate.
After graduating magna cum laude this past May, I returned to India full of enthusiasm and excitement. My goal was to become involved in environmental conservation in Ladakh, but after investigating the situation in Leh, I discovered the demand for help was greater in the Non-Governmental Organization sector (NGO). I worked for several months with both Rural Development and You (RDY) as well as the Ladakh Heart Foundation (LHF). With these NGOs I did grant proposal writing and preventative health education, both in Leh and the surrounding villages. This winter, I will be volunteering at SECMOL School as the girls’ hockey coach and then travelling to Zanskar to teach backcountry skiing and environmental ethics to local Zanskaris.
I am disappointed that I will not be spending the full semester with all of you, but I think some new leaders in Ladakh will be refreshing for the last month of the program. I cannot begin to describe how much I look forward to showing you my favorite spots and activities here!
One recommendation I would make to each of you is to try and find some aspect of Indian culture that interests you before coming. Whether it is women's role in religion, or the environment, or the rampant corruption in Indian politics; a little basic knowledge prior to your arrival would really help you understand India better once your arrive. This advice is strictly from my experience. Of course, the suggested books are of greater importance because each of them will undoubtedly enhance your time here. But in addition, try and find something that intrigues you a little. India can be very overwhelming at times, and with too much sensory stimulation it is often hard to absorb all the details. Having background knowledge on one aspect will help you focus a little and allow you to compare the places you visit a little more. Ultimately, you will return home with a little deeper understanding of India than you might have otherwise.
I hope each of you will fully take advantage of this entire process because it starts right now – deciding what to read, what to bring on the packing list, the pre-trip butterflies, the early days after arriving in Delhi, the adventurous bus rides – the list goes on and on! Please feel free to email me with any questions about Ladakh or concerns about the trip in general, or maybe most importantly, just to say hi (cpittelkow@gmail.com).
See you in a few months when you are no longer strangers to India but experienced world travelers!
-Cam