Growing up in the lively neighborhood of Aya Nagar, Delhi, Mansi Lodhi (India, Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Media, 2023-24) has always been surrounded by diversity. Her education started in a co-ed elementary school, followed by a same-gendered community in high school. Despite pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at a small college, Mansi’s interests were in psychology and the connections between communication, mental state, and social psychology. She was also interested in writing stories and passionate about reading novels. In college, she began taking writing and English classes, where she got to meet writers and realized that she didn’t need a formal education to learn about the things she loved and was skilled in.
After a year of undergraduate study, Mansi learned about the Community College Initiative (CCI) Program though Learning by Local’s, a Delhi-based educational non-profit founded by CCI alumnus Pradeep Kumar. After applying to the program, Mansi found herself embarking on a journey far beyond the familiar streets of Delhi. Her journey led her to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), located 15 miles from Washington, D.C. Mansi was thrilled to experience American culture and pursue her passions beyond the boundaries of conventional education. Upon arriving to the United States, she embraced the individuality and freedom that her peers experienced. Despite initial concerns about the way she dressed and looked, Mansi found the U.S. to be filled with diversity, just like her community back home. However, in a country where neighbors rarely ventured into each other’s lives without invitation, Mansi grappled with a sense of isolation she had never known. She found that American culture was vastly different from her own, with one of the main differences being sense of community and neighborliness. She stated, “I thought living in the U.S. would be really easy. I got to know a lot about myself because I knew that living conditions in America are better than India, but I got to know that there are other challenges, like having a sense of community and other resources. In India, even neighbors and friends of friends want to get involved in your life and want to know what’s happening. In the U.S., people protect their personal space and will only ask you about personal things if you offer to share.”
In response to this, Mansi fully engaged in campus life, actively participating in various organizations. Her internship at the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) center provided a sense of comfort as she connected with peers from Asian-speaking countries, uncovering shared experiences that transcended cultural differences. Through interactions in the AAPI lounge, Mansi recognized the underlying commonalities among Asian nations.
Mansi was also surprised with how much she enjoyed community service and volunteering, as required for her program. She observed that many students overlook the opportunity to contribute to their communities through volunteering, but Mansi found that it not only fosters leadership skills but also facilitates cultural exchange by providing opportunities to connect with diverse groups of people. For instance, while volunteering in the president’s garden in Washington, D.C., she had the chance to interact with individuals ranging from corporate directors to non-profit workers. This experience challenged her preconceptions, as she realized that volunteering is not limited to students; even those with full-time jobs dedicate their time to community events. The robust volunteering system in America acts as a bridge between people, organizations, and the government, allowing individuals to make meaningful contributions. In contrast, in India, societal norms often discourage such activities, making it challenging to engage in community service. Nevertheless, she believes that volunteering fosters a sense of community and collective responsibility.
Mansi attending a cultural exchange fair
Mansi’s social host, however, has left the biggest impact on her. Over the winter break, she had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with her social host, Amy. Mansi was thrilled to take part in the traditions, and Amy even had Christmas presents for Mansi, which surprised her. “I got to experience a Christmas the way it is celebrated in American families,” Mansi stated. Amy also provides a lot of emotional support to Mansi, despite being busy.
Mansi celebrating Christmas with her social host, Amy
After several months in the U.S., Mansi reflected on the profound impact of her exchange program experience. Sharing advice to others interested in pursuing an exchange program, she stated, “You should know what you actually want. You will get distracted a lot being in America. Everyone wants to come here and it’s easy to lose sight of goals. You should have a strong sense of responsibility to achieve your goals.” Mansi’s insights highlight the balance between embracing the adventure of an exchange program and maintaining the discipline needed to fulfill one’s aspirations.
For her remaining months in the CCI Program, Mansi is working on her Community Impact Project (CIP), where she will address a need in her local community. She observed America’s significant waste production, much of which ends up in landfills due to inadequate recycling and waste management systems. Inspired by this, she aims to establish a small community initiative at NOVA. Many students leave behind items they cannot take but also wish not to discard carelessly. Her plan is to gather belongings from fellow CCI students and donate these items, including electrical appliances, books, clothes, and other used goods that even teachers might contribute to NOVA students. This effort will not only build a community focused on reusing and recycling but also assist in alleviating financial burdens on students.
One of Mansi’s most shocking realizations in the CCI Program is how it has allowed her to understand different perspectives and know what it’s like to live in a different country with different cultures. In addition, the lessons she’s learned during classes often lead her to contemplate how these insights could be applied back in India. For instance, she was surprised to learn that musical elements in movies, which are a staple in Indian cinema, are not as well-received in the U.S. This revelation prompted her to reflect on the filmmaking techniques used in India and how they are perceived due to cultural familiarity. Aspiring to also be a screenwriter, Mansi’s exposure to diverse storytelling and filmmaking approaches through the program has enriched her understanding of the significant role culture plays in shaping elements of society and media, such as cinematic narratives.
When she returns home, Mansi plans to complete her education, perhaps in social psychology, as it will help her in the non-profit sector and allow her to build her communication and networking skills. Mansi also loves to write, and she hopes to use her education to develop book characters and write about women’s issues.
As she looks forward to returning to India, armed with new skills, insights, and a deeper understanding of cultural nuances, Mansi is poised to make a meaningful impact in her community and beyond. Her journey underscores the essence of exchange programs: not just to study abroad, but to immerse oneself in different cultures, to learn, grow, and ultimately, to bridge the gap between diverse worlds through shared experiences and mutual understanding. Mansi’s story is a testament to the transformative power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and engaging with the global community, a journey that begins with curiosity and culminates in a richer, more inclusive perspective on life.
Written by Holly Calhoun, Alumni Relations & Communications Coordinator