Last week I had the privilege of traveling to the amazing city of Varanasi. This city is like nothing I have ever seen before and it was captivating. The purpose of this excursion was to travel in small groups and learn about a specific NGO. I visited the NGO Kiran Village that works differently abled adults and children on a variety of things from education to social integration. This organization was amazing to learn about. You will hear more about them from me soon because I have decided to do my independent study project (ISP) with them. ISP is a month-long project where students are able to choose a topic and do qualitative research on that topic for the last month of the program.
![Kindergarten classroom observation](https://blogs.hope.edu/study-abroad/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/05/DSC08140-1024x768.jpg)
Another purpose of this trip was to practice conducting interviews in preparation of our upcoming ISP. We did two interviews in English and one interview in Hindi. I was incredibly nervous for my interviews because it is not in my personality to start a conversation with someone I hardly know. I am happy to report that the three interviews I did went very well and I was able to learn some great information. I am no longer so nervous about having to do interviews for my ISP in a week.
![Interviewing medical staff.](https://blogs.hope.edu/study-abroad/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/05/DSC08149-1024x768.jpg)
The professor that took my group to Varanasi actually grew up there and was excited to show us his favorite spots. It was great fun! We took a boat ride on the Ganges, drank Lassi, and met his family and friends.
![Early morning boat ride on the Ganges](https://blogs.hope.edu/study-abroad/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/05/DSC08159-1024x768.jpg)