by Mira Poling
Daily Lobo
There is a piece of India thriving in Albuquerque today.
Out of the 864 international students at UNM, 177 are from India, according to the Department of International Programs and Studies.
Together they share meals and stories, hold cricket tournaments, host potlucks and celebrate holidays. Treating each other like family, they have created a community rich with their native culture and tradition.
Adaptation to life in the United States is made easier by the Indian Student's Association, a formal chapter at UNM since 1990. The chapter arranges for new students to be picked up at the airport and housed by seniors until they can find their own accommodations.
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Many of the students have found each other and formed communities in numerous apartment complexes near campus.
"In India, even if it's a 16-story building, you know each and every person," Dham Vayalur, graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, said. "You can't hide from anyone."
Doors are left open, shoes are left at the door and the sound and smells of India move through the apartments of these students.
Cricket, a popular game in India, is a staple in their social life, from daily street cricket games to tournaments held Saturdays on Johnson Field.
ISA also organizes many cultural activities. Members celebrate holidays for the Hindu, Muslim and Christian religions to which their members belong.
They also do volunteer work for the community, organize outdoor trips and participate in an annual traditional Indian concert.
Each year the ISA sponsors an orientation for new students to the UNM campus, which includes everything from obtaining a driver's license to training on how to handle emergency situations.
The goal of the ISA is to make the transition to America as smooth as possible. It is a way to bridge the communication gap between the students and the University.
Additional ISA meetings were called after Sept. 11, 2001, because of increased risks and fears felt by the students.
"Before Sept. 11, I would pass Americans and they would smile and say 'hi' and it was very pleasing," Vayalur said. "Then it all changed around. After Sept. 11, people started yelling and shouting at us."
While none have reported any physical abuse, many have been victims of verbal abuse and threats. Several have even had to resort to using the campus escort service when returning home from classes after dark.
"It makes you feel that you cannot approach anyone," Vayalur said.
While almost all of them plan on returning to India after completing their studies, the students describe their experience here as being pleasant.
"As UNM students, we get a lot of respect," said Vikram Bartakke, a computer science student and special officer of ISA. "That's the best thing about being in UNM. Of course, the U.S. has always been known as advanced in technology. What could be the better thing here than to be getting the opportunity to learn new technology?"
The primary goal of the ISA, as stated in its mission statement, is "popularizing the dance and art forms of the Indian sub-continent, thereby increasing awareness among the local populace about the rich culture and traditions of this vast and fascinating culture."
There are about 200 members in ISA, of which about 130-140 are from India, with other members from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, SriLanka, Germany and Morocco. There are also a few U.S. citizens of Indian descent that are members.
