Ambassador strives to increase cultural awareness around the globe.
When speaking to People to People Student Ambassador alum Vinay
Ramanathan, it’s clear that he has more on his mind than just what is
happening in his school or community. His interests include law,
business, politics and diplomacy, all on a global level. His concerns
about cultural awareness and exchange are very real and personal. Vinay
has previously traveled to Mexico, India, France, Italy, Belgium,
Netherlands, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand,
Jamaica and Spain.
As the only Hindu on his delegation to Australia, Vinay felt that his
participation was doubly important to help the delegation represent the
true diversity that is America. “In my view, I think our ancient Hindu
culture is focused on understanding other cultures and groups, and in
doing so, we’re able to enrich our own culture. This is one of the main
reasons I wanted to go,” he says.
He also faced the challenge of educating his fellow delegates and
leaders about his culture, not easily done in the post-9/11 world. After
the terrorist attacks, several hate crimes were directed against Sikh
and Hindu temples and mosques in America and Australia, resulting in
several deaths. “I was shaken up by that,” admits Vinay. His father, Dr.
Ramanathan, was accosted outside a store by people mistaking him for a
Muslim, and Vinay was insulted at school after breaking up a fight.
These things have strengthened Vinay’s desire to make changes. He is
drawn to work in Africa someday. “I would like to help people in Africa
suffering with AIDS and poverty. There are some similarities to India,
and if I could help them out then, in a way, I’d be helping out my own
community. “In my opinion,” he says, “the United States is doing some
things to help these countries in crisis, but we have to do more. We
have a great responsibility to be active.”
Vinay greatly enjoyed his People to People experience in Australia,
finding the people “friendly and personable, laid back, and
accommodating to people visiting their country.” He was especially
affected by his host family and the Aborigines he met. “They were very
spiritual. They showed us their dances and talked with us; I thought it
was a very enlightening part of the trip.”
Vinay and his family can see the differences his People to People
experiences have made in his life. He continues to do well in school and
stays active in his community. Speaking to people during his
fund-raising efforts sparked his interest in debate (he now co-captains
his school’s team) and mock trials. Vinay speaks English and Hindi,
understands two other Indian languages, and is quickly learning Spanish.
Clearly, this young man is preparing himself to do big things.
“People to People helped me develop leadership, and I think what the
program is doing is great.”
