Student Spotlight

Salma Abedullah, India & Nepal ’23

Salma recently graduated with her BA in Neuroscience and Behavior from Rutgers University-Newark. Eager to experience the rich cultures of India and Nepal, she participated in a program that allowed her to engage with local organizations and communities. “The experiential learning we took part in the field helped me fully grasp the concepts we had learned in the classroom. For example, visiting the Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco Foundation deepened my understanding of sustainability within a non-profit context. This experience gave me a newfound appreciation for sustainability in every aspect of my life and the world around me.” – Salma

Abhinav Pandey, India & Nepal ’23

Abhinav recently graduated with his BS in Political Science and International Affairs from Rutgers University-Newark, where he focused on global politics and pursued an accelerated master’s program. Intrigued by the caste systems prevalent in his birth country, he eagerly joined the ILE study abroad program in India and Nepal. During this program, he had the opportunity to interact with organizations and leaders actively working to address social issues in these countries. Abhinav’s goal is to gain insights and knowledge from his experiences abroad to apply to his field of study. “Firstly, regarding the caste systems, it was encouraging to hear that none of the NGOs discriminated based on caste. On a personal level, learning more about my cultural background deepened my understanding of the long and powerful history we had before independence.” – Abhinav

Destiny Ramirez, India & Nepal ’23

Destiny graduated in Spring 2024 from Rutgers University-Newark, driven by a passion for cultural understanding and social change. For her, joining the study abroad program in India and Nepal is about more than travel; it’s a chance to confront misconceptions and immerse herself in the country’s rich diversity. She looks forward to engaging with local communities and non-profit leaders, believing that these experiences will help her grow both personally and professionally. Destiny is particularly excited about exploring daily life in India and hopes to bring back insights that will enhance her efforts in Jersey City, NJ. Committed to volunteering, she believes that young adults have the power to support those in need. With a keen interest in international business, she aims to apply her experiences to empower communities locally and globally. As she puts it, “India is a place that leaves a lasting impact on those who visit. I’m eager to deepen my understanding of different cultures and foster compassion, using my journey to drive meaningful change.” – Destiny