Ten students from the University of Antwerp, Belgium were the visitors of the city for the month of July-August 2023 where they ventured out to the villages visiting the local NGOs, learning more about their lives and to understand the tribal landscape from the eyes of these residents.

Eva Verschueren, Elena Butaye, Elise Geukens, Céline Vanden Abbeele, Luisa Rocha, Valentina Garcia Delgado, Siham Ghazaoui, Luca Verhaeghe, and guides Devanshi Saxena and Nele Voorspoels were in the city to explore and understand the culture and tradition of our rich nation.

These students were in Ranchi under the University Foundation for Development Cooperation USOS – India Exposure - Internship Mobility Programme July – August 2023. This internship is a part of the USOS funded partnership between University of Antwerp and Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi. Devanshi Saxena and Nele Voorspoels are the coordinators of the team while Dr Anant Kumar, Head of Rural Management Programme and Professor at XISS is the coordinator of the team. These researchers under the programme have visited National Law University, Delhi and XISS Ranchi, Jharkhand under the supervision of a faculty members in Law and Social Sciences.

At XISS we believe the world is a global village and as we live up to our vision statement of creating a sustainable society. Encouraging talent from across the globe XISS is immensely proud to host a group of 10 researchers from the University of Antwerp, Belgium for the past three weeks. The partnership between University of Antwerp and XISS, Ranchi for the USOS funded Internship Programme is our effort in giving exposure to our students who have visited Belgium and have learnt the culture and ensure the same for their students as well, emphasized Director XISS. He also said that XISS is committed to bring in more international exposure for our students under as spelled out in our Vision 2025. The exposure not only widens the perspective of the student but ensures that they all learn to live in harmony.

I had an incredibly positive experience in India. When you embrace the culture and connect with its people, it becomes an exciting journey. XISS follows the same pattern. The individuals were welcoming and eager to engage in conversations and help whenever needed. In my research, I focused on tribal cultures, particularly their unique storytelling methods and how these narratives impact their global representation. I also explored the potential lessons we can draw from their storytelling techniques, including songs and poetry. - Luca Verhaeghe

I represent a non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Antwerp, entrusted with fostering global citizenship. Our mission involves facilitating student exchanges, and we have established collaborations with XISS and National Law University Delhi in India. Our partnership with XISS is a source of great joy, enabling reciprocal learning opportunities. XISS students can partake in summer courses at the University of Antwerp and even intern there for two months under a new collaboration. I am excited to witness the growth of our connection with XISS and explore its enriching potential further. - Devanshi Saxena

I am a Belgian student pursuing a LLM Course at the University of Antwerp. Through the collaboration of USOS and XISS, I interned at the Hoffman Law Associates, Jharkhand engaging with tribal clients to safeguard their lands. I was in India for around four weeks, and had spent ten days in Delhi for a cultural exploration where we visited temples and mosques. In Ranchi I have spent three weeks, where my weekdays involved the internship work, and the weekends entailed visits to health workers and waterfalls. My thesis delves into government liability and law enforcement amid the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on vaccination policies. - Elena Butaye

Reflecting on my journey in India fills me with gratitude. The country's beauty has surpassed my expectations, dispelling common misconceptions. While I have explored New Delhi and Agra, it's Ranchi that truly captivated my heart. The community's warmth, city's vibrant pulse, and the genuine kindness of every person I have encountered has created an unparalleled experience. I extended my gratitude towards XISS, whose welcoming embrace has made me feel truly at home. - Siham Ghazaoui

For USOS, I am currently pursuing my master's thesis about identity in India and I am very excited about it. The different cultural background of India as compared to Belgium was a big change in the beginning but it was made easier with everyone welcoming us nicely in XISS. At first, I felt like we stood out as a group. But then once we started talking to people and they approached us, it became like we were one amongst the other students here. - Eva Verschueren

I am truly grateful to be here at XISS in India. My time here has been incredibly positive. While I initially anticipated challenges in adapting, the people around us had been exceptionally supportive in helping us acclimate and learn about Indian culture. We had the opportunity to connect with passionate individuals advocating for indigenous rights and land preservation, which aligns closely with my research on how Neoliberalization detrimentally impacts indigenous rights. I commend XISS for their invaluable assistance. They had played a pivotal role in organizing meaningful discussions and introduced me to knowledgeable individuals in this field. This entire experience was nothing short of amazing. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others. I extend my gratitude to XISS and USOS for their facilitation in making this journey so enriching. - Celine Vanden Abbeele

I am a scholar with a Master's in Philosophy, and my research examines the impact of nationalistic governments on social cohesion among diverse cultural and religious groups. Embracing the warmth and welcoming atmosphere in India, I enjoyed the vibrant academic environment, fostering meaningful connections with professors, and fellow students. The country's warm rain, is a contrast to Belgium's perpetual drizzle and the life here is amazing. - Elise Geukens

What is USOS?

USOS is a social justice driven non-profit association that exists as a cooperation between the University of Antwerp and the Flemish/Dutch Jesuits. It facilitates and strengthens collaborations between UAntwerpen and institutions in DR Congo, India, Morocco, and Nicaragua. The partnerships are based on the exchange of knowledge and practices and on the reciprocal exchange of students and staff.

USOS is mandated by University of Antwerp to engage in global citizenship for which it offers various trainings of experiential learning, such as immersion programmes, on-campus debates and pen friend correspondences.