University of Mary Washington students and Smita Jain Oxford, senior lecturer for the College of Business, spent spring break in India.

Smita Jain Oxford, senior lecturer for the College of Business, led a group of students on a spring break trip to India as part of her business communication course.

“Our overarching goal was to study how five target companies employed business communication strategies in their particular industries and for their specific audiences. Of course, that is the textbook goal. With a course such as this one, the other major goal is one of immersion, reflection, and growth,” said Oxford. “Taking students to a culture so different from any they have experienced was both eye opening and awe inspiring for them.”

Participants also visited the Taj Mahal and Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum.

“The students noted the huge chasm between wealth and poverty in India,” said Oxford. “They understood why the country is one of extremes and why that social norm and the chaos it brings with it works for the people of India; and, finally, and maybe, primarily, they understood that poverty does not equate to laziness, crime, or violence — as is often the belief — but, rather, to industry, ambition, and strength.”

This was one of five faculty-led study abroad trips during spring break. To find out more, visit the Center for International Education.