_0.jpg)
_0.jpg)
_0.jpg)
_0.jpg)
_0.jpg)
You awake to the aroma of spices while putting on your school uniform, but it’s a new place. You say “????????!” to greet your host mother and sister, but it’s a new language. The culture slowly immerses you with the natives, but it’s a new lifestyle. Now, you’ll experience the memories of living in India through the eyes of a NSLI-Y exchange student, me.
The AFS cultural iceberg metaphor resonates with me—I observe the ice above the water first. The first step on Indian soil smacked me in the face. Diverse sounds and waves of color encircled me. The automobiles weaved between each other, passing cows and camels lying in the bizarre traffic. Streetside poverty persists amidst industrialized cities. My host family exposed me to the spicy delicacies, traditional clothing including sarees, and the Bollywood world.
Indore became my new home, and I dove beneath the water’s surface to explore the cultural nuances.
Twenty-one members in my joint family guided me. Simple memories—we discussed daily to philosophical topics while eating together. This opportunity challenged me to understand and communicate in Hindi. Sometimes we ate at Sarafa, a year-round food festival. Jewelry market by day and food paradise by night, we savored the pani puri, grilled corn, and momos under the monsoon rain. I observed a new religion while chanting Jain prayers before sleeping.
My untraditional experience in Shishukunj International School consisted of five-hour Hindi classes each day. We began mornings with prayers of different religions. Learning bharatanatyam, tabla drums, or yoga filled our cultural hour. We highly respected our teachers, as students referred to them as “teaching Gods”. My classmates and I connected thoughts together using the magic word “kyonki” (because) and read Hindi newspapers by our last day.
But, I kept swimming toward the bottom of the iceberg.
History explains how cultural identities came into existence. As I transported myself back in time inside the neighboring city of Maheshwar, the Narmada River greeted me. Various religious groups quietly arrived to touch the holy water and attain spiritual purity. Time stood still at the Royal Palace of Maheshwar—I rediscovered royal lifestyle in the museum. The weavers created intricate clothing using old-fashioned handlooms before me. I left by whispering inside of a bull statue’s ear in the central temple of the Ahilya Fort, which my sister says signifies good luck. I’ll never forget the lush greenery and quiet atmosphere of Mandu—the ruined city with ancient “mahalon” (palaces)—or joining a religious ceremony dancing their way to the Ujjain Temple.
Agra, the beautiful home of the Taj Mahal, became our last stop. I stood at the gateway shocked to see an unbelievable painting in front of me. A long stroll alongside Charbagh gardens carried me until I touched the cold marble. I wore foot covers to protect the 400-year-old marble I stepped on. I stood in awe at the towering Mughal architectural work combined with Persian calligraphy. I paid my respects to the architect Shah Jahan and wife Mumtaz Mahal inside the central dome. Little boats floated on the reflective Yamuna River behind the Taj. A collection of street vendors approached me excitedly with memories to take home after exiting this breathtaking atmosphere.
In the end, it’s the personal interactions and achievements which I remember most. Waking up at four a.m. to get infamous LIG Maggi noodles with my brother. Learning the art of bartering. Bonding with my limited Hindi and charades. I leave understanding how India stands united through diverse languages, religions, nature, and families.
It’s time to break your cultural iceberg. ??????????!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Breaking My Cultural Iceberg: India’s Diversity”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Your thoughtful tips—like timing your visit for fewer crowds and savoring the local seafood—add so much value for planning a perfect summer getaway. Thanks for sharing such a beautifully curated list—I’m definitely adding these towns to my travel list!
This enthusiastic blog provides a huge list of 51 varied and exciting summer vacation ideas for families, offering options from theme parks to national parks both near and far.
Absolutely love the insights you’ve shared in this blog!
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
wow
Great read! I really appreciated the insights you shared—especially the way you broke things down in a clear and relatable way. Looking forward to more content like this. Keep up the great work!
Traveling to Aruba promises an unforgettable escape. From white-sand beaches to clear turquoise waters, this Caribbean gem invites you to create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sense of adventure!
Thanks very nice blog!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up plus the rest of the site is very good.
This article was very informative thank you!
For the people that are planning to go to Aruba, I would also suggest this website: https://canitravel.net/countries/aruba . I used it last month when I went to Aruba and it always had up-to-date travel restrictions. I hope this helps 🙂
Nice post!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I will definitely comeback.
This is such helpful information! Traveling with minors can get complicated, and having all the required documents ready makes the process so much smoother. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
Great blog! I really enjoyed reading it. The way you explained everything in such simple and clear words made it easy to follow. Sometimes blogs can get too technical or confusing, but this one was straight to the point and very helpful.
I got good info from your blog
Keep working ,great job!
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I had the chance to experience Denmark during the Christmas season, and it’s something I’ll always hold close to my heart. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen felt like stepping into a storybook. The way the entire park was dressed in soft, glowing lights, handmade decorations, and the comforting scent of mulled wine in the air made every moment feel special.
There’s a unique warmth about this place that isn’t just from the cocoa or winter drinks, but from the people, the laughter, and the little traditions scattered around every corner. Watching families gather, children’s faces light up at the sight of the reindeer, and the simple joy of wandering through beautifully decorated stalls reminded me how lovely the holiday season can be.
It’s not just about the decorations or the rides — it’s the feeling of togetherness, the calm, and the way time seems to slow down so you can really take in the small, meaningful moments. I left with a heart full of good memories and a deep appreciation for the charm and kindness of Danish traditions.
If you ever get the chance to visit, I promise it’s a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left.
The article is full of information , thanks for such a good knowledge.
This article is incredibly informative and well-structured. It offers clear, practical guidance on a topic many travelers often overlook—traveling with minors. The detailed breakdown of required documents and the emphasis on consent letters provide much-needed clarity for parents and guardians planning a trip. A must-read for anyone traveling with children!
Great article! I completely agree with your points.
Keep up the good work
Excellent post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Thanks!
Hi, yes this post is genuinely nice and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
Excellent post! I found your analysis both engaging and informative. Well done.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to search out anyone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Thank you for such praise, I am glad I could present the material in a way that made you want to see and experience St. Augustine’s Black history for yourself.
Of course, this beach town has lots more to offer but if you are willing to walk the lanes and dig a little bit, the history of the first Blacks and how much they contributed to protecting the colony is fascinating.
Hope you get there and enjoy your trip.
Your trip sounds absolutely incredible! Lisbon is truly a magical city, and your experience during the EuroCup must have made it even more special. If anyone reading this is planning a trip to Lisbon, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour to explore the city’s rich history, charming streets, and hidden gems with a local guide. You can check out this great option: https://www.guruwalk.com/lisbon. It’s a fantastic way to get an insider’s perspective on the city!
It’s iin reality a great and helpful piece oof info.
I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing
Great content for cruise lovers !! One of the most advantage of cruising is you do not have to pick your luggages every day , and every day you discover a new country. Although one day is not enough to see everything it gives an idea about a country ! With my experience since 2007, 99,9% of my guest said that Kusadasi/Turkey is their favorite port among all the other ports. Because we have a lot of options for every traveler. The most popular places , if your ship is docking at Kusadasi, is Ephesus ancient city which is only 25 min. drive away. Ephesus was the 4th largest ancient city of the world in 2 c AD.Most of the ruins are reconstructed and gives an idea about Roman’ glorious times. If you ever visit Ephesus, I suggest you to see Terrace Houses , where the rich were living and houses are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes from 3rd c AD.If you want to add a spiritual break , thats House of Virgin Mary is there. It is believed that she was taken by St. John the apostle to there.Another place you must see Ephesus Museum.. Forget all that boring museums you have seen . While guiding , I explain the most interesting artifacts , including original staue of Artemis. BTW. did you know that one of seven wonders of ancient world was located there? Well… not so much left , but it is still worth to be seen. If you ever visit Kusadasi,and want to have private tour, please feel free to contact with me ! I am very happy to answer your questions and customize your trip to Ephesus. Please visit my website,not only for Ephesus trip but also to get an idea about my beloved country Turkey/Turkiye. You can see different types of tours that I organize. Archaeological , culinary or lets customize your tour to Turkey together!! luxurytoursofturkey.com/