By: Cameron Fish

This coming May holds a new adventure for Dr. Nathan Webb. He, along with two other professors and 20 students are going to Bangalore, India to study abroad for a Maymester. This trip will entail three courses in religion, art/photography, and communication. Students will examine the lenses through which they view the world—both literally and figuratively. With visits to Mumbai, Kochin, and Bangalore, students will experience the cultural, historical, religious, and artistic richness of southern India.

Dr. Webb has visited many places and loves traveling, but in a recent interview, he said that he is especially excited for this trip because it will be his first time in India. Dr. Webb said that he is just going to “take it all in.” He is excited to try new foods and experience all that India has to offer including the number of people that will be in their area. To prepare, Dr. Webb said he has been reading books and watching documentaries.

Teaching Intercultural Communication has made Dr. Webb a better teacher and traveler, and he says that it is “way more fun to teach when you’re in another country.” Intercultural Communication is one of his favorite classes to teach.

Whether you’ve been out of the country or not, Intercultural Communication is an important course to take. It examines our differences and how we can effectively communicate with others. Studying this course abroad gives the material context. Out of the country, students can see first-hand what they are learning, and their eyes are more open to the world and its differences. The course is much more apparent when you’re in another setting, like India. Dr. Webb says traveling and being exposed to new things makes us more well-rounded people and better learners. Being able to have a cultural experience abroad can change a student’s way of learning, and he is excited to see those “light bulbs go off” in his students in May.

India holds so much diversity, culture, and vibrancy. All who are a part of this very special Maymester will leave with personal development and a life experience they’ll never forget.