“I think the programme has inspired me to broaden my horizons in terms of learning and travelling, basically it has opened the world up to me.” Mark MacMillan, Mumbai participant 2009

In summer 2009, 100 participants from across the UK took part in Mumbai Study India programme. Study India was hosted in Mumbai by the HR College of Commerce & Economics and supported by a team of volunteer student ambassadors.

“I cannot praise HR college and the ambassadors enough. They went out of their way to not only accommodate us but to get to know us and make sure we made the most of the time we had there”. Rena Christou, Mumbai participant 2009

The varied 2009 programme included; lectures on Mumbai’s economy along with a visit to the Mumbai stock exchange, a trip to Borivli National Park, Hindi classes, yoga workshops and a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Museum and Museum of Vinoba Bhave.

On September 2, the participants attended the official Study India launch event in Mumbai, attended by Bollywood star Neil Nitin The festival of Ganpati gave participants the chance to see and be involved in the Indian celebrations.

Indian NGOs hosted placements such as; V Care Foundation which provides free help, awareness and education to cancer patients and their families, Pratham Mumbai Education Initiative that works to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of India and College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan School.

“I would like to thank you so much for running this…having been exposed to the work of NGOs I have again looked into numerous options to pursue a career in international development.” Marcella Eyre, Mumbai participant 2009

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, lies on the west coast of India and is home to a busy entertainment industry that includes the Bollywood film studios. It is one of the world’s most heavily populated cities with over 14 million inhabitants.

“All my first impressions completely changed. Mumbai is such a vibrant city….Everything about India is wonderful - the people, the sights, the smells.” Heidi Littler, Mumbai participant 2009.

Photographs by: Maksymilian Osowski, Heidi Littler and Elena Di Biasio