Ms. Marzia Ortelli
Guru India
My exchange has been an incredible experience for me. My stay in India is full of wonderful memories made with people who initially were complete strangers and who now are family.
When I was in Italy I wondered and imagined many times how India could be, and I admit that due to stereotypes several times I made a wrong representation of this country.
Here I have learnt to take life as it is, to not complain for each single thing that I don’t like.
When I came to India I was so fascinated by different religions, wherein here many cultures exist together at the same time, and watching this diversity is so beautiful.!!!
The diversity in cultures and in ways of thinking is so unique and inspiring that one is truly impressed by this unity in diversity.
Since now, many celebrations have filled my heart with joy and cheerfulness.
I remember Rakshabandan, when the love between brothers and sisters is celebrated.
Songs played during Navratri made my soul vibrate following the rhythm of music and Diwali brought light through the path of my experience.
I loved to see the colorful kites dancing in the shiny sky and all the children running after them with a huge smile drawn on their face.
Recently the pigments of holy had coloured my body with vibrant shades which left persistent stains on my skin that I hope would penetrate my heart filling it with colours.
India didn’t make me indifferent, it made me grow and that’s why India was like a Guru for me. I’ve spent 10 months in India but surely they were not enough. I’ve got the opportunity to discover the Indian culture in all its tiny details in a family and in IPS school.
Overall, this experience has taught me to be grateful and independent.
Marzia Ortelli