When Michelle Granara ’10 learned that Holy Cross’ Study Abroad program offered the opportunity to study in Sri Lanka, she didn’t think twice about applying. She was accepted into the program, and is currently studying in the island nation, which is located in South Asia and home to about 20 million people.
“This is a program that steps far outside my comfort zone and will consequently give me a lot of opportunities for growth,” she says. “Also, this will give me a chance to become intimately acquainted to a part of the world that I would have otherwise known little about.”
Granara, from Norwell, is an English major with concentrations in creative writing and peace and conflict studies. As a participant in three community engagement programs at Holy Cross — Student Programs for Urban Development, Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans, and the Tanzania Immersion Program — she is passionate about social justice issues and helping others. She’ll expand on her many interests during her semester abroad.
She will be living out her passion for writing by blogging about her experiences. While studying at the University of Peradeniya and living with a host family, she will volunteer in Sri Lanka and explore the culture. She will study Sinhalese (the language), the history of colonial conflict, material culture, and enroll in an art course. One of her favorite classes at Holy Cross was Buddhism, so she’s especially excited about learning more about the religion.
After leaving Sri Lanka on Dec. 8, she will travel to Thailand, where she will sightsee and learn how Buddhism practices differ in Thailand compared to Sri Lanka.
Related Information:
• Study Abroad Program
Culture Change
Granara ’10 blogs about study abroad experience in Sri Lanka
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