Samantha Qyyum

During my third year at FIU I was given the opportunity to partake in study abroad through the religions department. It was a course in India called "Intro to Jainism" comprising of three classes-- Jainism, Non- Violence, and the Science of Living.

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I travelled to India for a month in June of 2014 with three other students from FIU who were enrolled in the course. The class consisted of the four of us from the United States and a few Jain Students from India. We would begin our days at five in the morning with meditation and yoga. This was honestly my favorite part of the day since you're starting your day relaxed and refreshed. We then would eat breakfast together and walk to class. I briefly learned about the Jain religion while attending an Intro to Asian Religions class at FIU, so this course in India gave me an in-depth understanding of their views and beliefs. Besides taking a final exam we had to write a research paper and present a powerpoint on the topic. I chose the Environment and Jainism and learned their perception of the environment. 

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We also went on several field trips to learn about India. We went to the salt farms, the markets, and many temples. It was beautiful to see the difference in art and architecture. My favorite temple was one that was up on a mountain and you could see the entire landscape of the desert. The lifestyle of those in Ladnun, which is a small town/village in the state of Rajasthan was remarkable. We were invited to a traditional Indian lunch at the house of one of the students. The food was delicious. We were also there for the ending of Ramadan and got to see first hand their celebration of going from house to house sharing that moment with family and friends.

  

Not many have heard of Jainism. Through my experience I have been able to inform others of such a religion just as they would have heard of Christianity or Islam or Hinduism. I feel as though it is important to learn about different cultures. It opens our eyes to what others may experience and their outlook on the world. It creates an understanding of our surroundings.