5:11pm
We've got some extra time on our hands this afternoon so I decided to go ahead and get my post out of the way for the day. We had a pretty different experience today. After yoga and breakfast, we took a long cab ride out the India Institute of Technology, Madras. I hadn't been told much about this school except that it was the local campus of a good Indian tech school. When we got to the campus, we met up with Neil and our tour guide for the day, Jithin (a 5th-year biotechnology student at IIT). Jithin didn't waste any time telling us about how IIT is actually one of the most prestigious universities in India and only students in the 99th percentile are accepted. So basically, IIT is the MIT of India. Just like MIT, IIT grads are heavily sought after by companies around the world and eventually become some of the most powerful players in their industries. Jithin gladly showed us around campus from an engineering lab, to the biotechnology department where he spends most of his time, and lastly to the campus coffee shop.
It was really cool being able to walk around a busy campus in a foreign country and see all of the things they do differently and more surprisingly, what the do the same. One of the biggest differences is that IIT students are required to live on campus at all times in 50-year-old dorms with no air conditioning. Most of the buildings on campus didn't look nearly as nice as some of the fancy facilities you find at the big schools in the US, but inside of the buildings you can find some of the latest and greatest science and technology equipment. Part of me was thinking that these geniuses like Jithin deserve the luxuries of air conditioning and fancy buildings that I take for granted, but I've come to realize that its just the way of life that they're accustomed to. They are so grateful to be receiving such a good education that they see no reason to sit around and complain about their sweltering dorms and classrooms in the 100+ degree summer heat of Chennai. I guess this was just another valuable life lesson in disguise that you can only find while studying abroad. One of these days I'm going to write a book about the importance of studying abroad for every college student. The list of benefits goes on for miles.
After some coffee for about 50 cents a cup, we rode the campus bus to the exit and got in some three wheeled taxis ("autos" as they are called here) to go back to the hotel for lunch. Evan, Leigh, and I had an auto to ourselves and of course, it broke down in the middle of the road half way back to the hotel. When our driver realized it wasn't going to be a quick fix, he kicked us out and helped us flag down another auto. Our new driver seemed to think it was a good idea to take us the long way home with us packed in like sardines in order to run up the meter to a whopping 95 rupees (about $1.50). We finally made it back and had lunch waiting for us.
Lunch was followed by a walk to some of the local stores that were closed last night. I was tempted to buy a $60 soccer jersey or some nice Ferrari clothes at the Puma store, but I held off. Now we're back at the hotel relaxing until dinner. I feel a lot more comfortable being in Chennai than I did five days ago. All is well. Here's some pictures from the day:
We've got some extra time on our hands this afternoon so I decided to go ahead and get my post out of the way for the day. We had a pretty different experience today. After yoga and breakfast, we took a long cab ride out the India Institute of Technology, Madras. I hadn't been told much about this school except that it was the local campus of a good Indian tech school. When we got to the campus, we met up with Neil and our tour guide for the day, Jithin (a 5th-year biotechnology student at IIT). Jithin didn't waste any time telling us about how IIT is actually one of the most prestigious universities in India and only students in the 99th percentile are accepted. So basically, IIT is the MIT of India. Just like MIT, IIT grads are heavily sought after by companies around the world and eventually become some of the most powerful players in their industries. Jithin gladly showed us around campus from an engineering lab, to the biotechnology department where he spends most of his time, and lastly to the campus coffee shop.
It was really cool being able to walk around a busy campus in a foreign country and see all of the things they do differently and more surprisingly, what the do the same. One of the biggest differences is that IIT students are required to live on campus at all times in 50-year-old dorms with no air conditioning. Most of the buildings on campus didn't look nearly as nice as some of the fancy facilities you find at the big schools in the US, but inside of the buildings you can find some of the latest and greatest science and technology equipment. Part of me was thinking that these geniuses like Jithin deserve the luxuries of air conditioning and fancy buildings that I take for granted, but I've come to realize that its just the way of life that they're accustomed to. They are so grateful to be receiving such a good education that they see no reason to sit around and complain about their sweltering dorms and classrooms in the 100+ degree summer heat of Chennai. I guess this was just another valuable life lesson in disguise that you can only find while studying abroad. One of these days I'm going to write a book about the importance of studying abroad for every college student. The list of benefits goes on for miles.
After some coffee for about 50 cents a cup, we rode the campus bus to the exit and got in some three wheeled taxis ("autos" as they are called here) to go back to the hotel for lunch. Evan, Leigh, and I had an auto to ourselves and of course, it broke down in the middle of the road half way back to the hotel. When our driver realized it wasn't going to be a quick fix, he kicked us out and helped us flag down another auto. Our new driver seemed to think it was a good idea to take us the long way home with us packed in like sardines in order to run up the meter to a whopping 95 rupees (about $1.50). We finally made it back and had lunch waiting for us.
Lunch was followed by a walk to some of the local stores that were closed last night. I was tempted to buy a $60 soccer jersey or some nice Ferrari clothes at the Puma store, but I held off. Now we're back at the hotel relaxing until dinner. I feel a lot more comfortable being in Chennai than I did five days ago. All is well. Here's some pictures from the day:
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