Meet the FIUTS Summer 2021 SUSIs: India

FIUTS is thrilled to welcome 24 undergraduates from Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and Tunisia as part of the 2021 Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders on Education and the Future of Work. While this program usually takes place in person in Seattle, we are excited to host our first virtual SUSI this summer!

During the 5-week virtual program, the group will study the ways in which technology, innovation, and globalization are prompting the development of new initiatives to educate and prepare youth with the professional skills needed to succeed in the future. They will also take part in curriculum development seminars to prepare them to develop and lead trainings that benefit their home communities.

Every day this week FIUTS will introduce the SUSI participants from one of the six country groups that make up the 2021 cohort. Continue on to read more about the SUSIs representing India!

Aarha Shah

Hello and नमस्ते (Namaste)! I am Aarha Shah, a citizen of Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, India. I am an ambivert and try to know people better before I completely open up. I am a management student, specializing in Marketing and Economics. I recently completed Bachelors in Business Administration and will soon begin PGDM.  
 
My hobbies include writing, acting and public speaking, and I have held positions of responsibility in these areas, at university clubs and outside organizations, from time to time, and have participated in regional and national competitions for the same. In my free time, I try to lead projects or volunteer for causes like women empowerment, hunger eradication, promoting cleanliness and spreading education, through organizations like Rotaract Club of Ahmedabad Narol and SwaSarjan Foundation. 
 
I enjoy organizing formal events (like intra-university management competitions) and informal events (like farewell parties). Since I am interested in marketing, I wish to build a career in the same and have held the position of Head of PR at a youth-based firm (internship) in India and also served as the Head of PR at the first MUN organized by my university, in the past. I try to be versatile by learning new skills like programming and reiki, through online courses, and by taking up interesting electives like ‘Future of Work’ at college. In whatever extra time I have on hands, I find it relaxing to sleep or binge watch movies and/or TV shows. 

Druthik Diwakar

I am Druthik Diwakar, I am 20 years old, I come from the heritage city Mysore which is in the southern part of India and comes under the Karnataka state. I am currently pursuing my final year Bcom in a prestigious institution SBRR Mahajanas first grade college which is also in Mysore. Mysore is well know for its palaces and the main Mysore palace which was built in the year 1897 and I love every bit of Mysore as it has the essence of heritage in every bit of it.  
I am a goal oriented person with some visions in my head, my goal is to be a honest citizen who can contribute to the society. I love social work as it makes me feel lively and enriches the sense of responsibility as a human being. I enjoy spending time with economically backward children and old aged people as it helps me to see the world in an entirely different way.  
I love to travel and explore unknown places where there is peace and calmness, as I believe one can know more about himself / herself when everything is at peace and silence. I am a very outspoken person who wants to put my views and thoughts to the world and sees the world in a entirely different way. I feel fascinated to extend my reach to people, especially people from other countries as it involves exchanging of culture, differences in thinking and the way of living.

Rishitha Jaladi

My name is Rishitha Jaladi and I'm from a country where love is the essence of life "India". I am currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Sciences and I will be graduating in 2021. I also work as a Journalist at Lucknow News.  
 
I am an aspiring youth parliamentarian, theater artist, dancer, MC, and social activist from Andhra Pradesh. I received the honorary awards from the Chief-minister and governor of Andhra Pradesh and was appreciated by The Prime minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. 
 
Being a social activist I contributed momentously to social causes like Blood donation, Gender Equality, Cleanliness drives, Menstrual health, etc., and a fervent volunteer of Red Cross Society, India.  
 
I believe, Our birth is not an accident! We are here for some reason, We are here to create a difference. And I hope to be that difference in the years to come.

Heena Kazmi Afandi

“Work for A better life as you will live forever ,and work for a better end as if you die tomorrow”

I am Heena Kazmi Afandi a 20- year old girl from Hyderabad city India. My life journey commences from a very orthodox family, where educating females is hardly given any significant importance. But I was very lucky and blessed, as my parents have always urged me to pursue my dreams .they have been very supportive, and because of their dedication and hard work I have come this far I reflect a varied personality including ambition, and the qualities of generosity and thoughtfulness, I strive to become an outstanding and successful woman in today's society. I am currently pursuing bachelor of Sciences in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from Madina Degree College Affiliated to Osmania University ,Hyderabad, and I will be graduating this year. I aim to create awareness of the importance of nutrition and its benefits to the body. I am very enthusiastic about taking part in extracurricular activities like debates, elocutions, creative arts, etc. I am a part of a youth empowerment organization called RUBAROO, I Did around 3 Social Action projects as a team leader, and was certified as a youth champion in 2020 by the British deputy high commission.
I like decorating hands with beautiful designs of henna, and coincidently my name is also heena (spells differently). Arts and crafts are my hobbies, so using them I spread the importance of nutrition and do my practical work by using flashcards, posters, working models, etc. As a girl coming from a conservative family, I will contribute to the importance of educating girls as a learned female will always contribute to the betterment of the family for generations to come and teaching them to be self-dependent in the male-dominated world.

The Study of the US Institute (SUSI) for Student Leaders is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by Meridian International Center and FIUTS. The 2021 program will run virtually from June 28th through July 30th.  

The Study of the U.S. Institutes promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world. Learn more about the Study of the U.S. Institutes here.