Fulbright Provides Hindi Teacher for UM

 

Students at the University of Montana are learning Hindi thanks The Fulbright program.

Hindi is listed as a critical language by the US department of state.

The Fulbright Scholar teaching Hindi at UM, Surbhi Jain, has always wanted to teach her native language in a foreign country.

When the Fulbright program placed her in Montana, she left India to chase her dream.

“It’s very very important because it makes me proud when I talk about my culture and my country to other people who are totally new to this culture,” said Jain.

Surbhi Jain is from a little region right next to New Delhi, which is the capitol of India

Only four Universities in the country got a Fulbright scholar to teach Hindi.

Jain’s supervisor, Ruth Vanita, says unlike other Fulbright scholars on campus, they have to find a place to stay.

“We’ve had to find housing for them from private donors; supporters of the program will house them in their house for free. This is not a viable long-term plan so we need some support from the University or else we are to get them housing for this to continue,” said Vanita.

Student, Alex O’Keefe, says the continuation of the program is crucial.

“I’m just so interested in how other people live and how they do things and how they learn. Any opportunity I can possibly get to go and see and experience and take part in that; that would be very exciting for me,” said O’Keefe.

Jain’s students say they love having her teach them about her culture and her language.

It’s important to her that the Hindi program continues so students have the ability to learn.

“The University of Montana, the first thing I see is the enthusiasm in which I see in the people here, they really want to learn about India,” said Jain.

Next year they hope to have another Fulbright Scholar teach elementary Hindi 101 and 102 and intermediate Hindi 101 and 102, just is as being done now.

Jain’s favorite thing about being at the University is teaching students about her very diverse culture.

India is the largest democracy in the world with a close relationship with the US.

Filed in: Videos