Swiss India Classroom Project 2023-24 (Luzern)

The topic which I had chosen for the Swiss-Indian Cultural Exchange was ‘Sexism- Young Female Teenagers’. Sexism is something every person has faced at least once in any phase of their lives, be it any gender. However, the focus of my project was young female teenagers. Being one myself, the one topic l could relate much to was sexism. During the research for the materials of the project, l came to know about all the laws and acts we have in India against this particular topic. l also came to know about how it is still prevalent in India as well as Switzerland, and its impact is reduced when compared to before in the older generation. Our research involved a meticulous examination of gender disparities in various sectors, such as the workplace, education, and public spaces. We investigated the prevalence of sexist attitudes and behaviours, seeking to uncover the subtle biases that might be deeply ingrained in the Swiss social fabric. Additionally, we explored the role of media and popular culture in perpetuating gender stereotypes and contributing to a climate where sexism can thrive. As a team, we were committed to not only identifying the challenges but also proposing tangible solutions. Our recommendations encompassed policy changes, educational initiatives, and awareness campaigns tailored to address the specific nuances of sexism in Switzerland. By grounding our project in both research and community engagement, we aspired to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future for all individuals in the world.  By bringing together the perspectives of team members from Switzerland and India, we not only broadened our project’s scope but also gained a deeper understanding of the cultural nuances that shape perceptions of gender. Our collaborative effort stands as a testament to the power of global teamwork in addressing complex societal issues and promoting a more inclusive and equitable world

Adwitha

The Swiss-India cultural exchange centred around the critical issue faced in our society. My group selected the topic of Racism. With a collaborative effort from team members Anushka and Nihitha representing India, and Elena and Maella from Switzerland. This powerful team dynamic facilitated a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted aspects of racism, as we engaged in discussions and projects aimed at addressing and raising awareness about this pervasive social problem. The diverse perspectives brought by Anushka and Nihitha from India, along with Elena and Maella from Switzerland, created a rich tapestry of insights that enriched our understanding of the global impact of racism. Through shared experiences and cultural exchange, the team collectively worked to foster empathy, understanding, and tolerance. The diverse perspectives offered by team members from different cultural backgrounds exemplified the power of international cooperation in tackling societal challenges. These collaborative efforts left a lasting impact on our collective understanding and commitment to promoting a more inclusive and just world.

Anushka

We had a wonderful experience while doing the project. In our joint project, my friend Naman and I explored with our Swiss partners Aurel and Mattanja, about classism based on lower class people. Our five-slide presentation carefully compared of the class discrimination in India and Switzerland. We have put a lot of effort into comprehensive research and analysis on the subject to highlight the similarities and differences between the two countries. Overall, it was a collaborative effort aimed at shedding light on the complexity of social and economic discrimination.

Prayag

The topic of our project was ableism: healthcare access in Switzerland and India. We presented our topic well by combining the different aspects of the topic, both Switzerland and India. One important point in our project is that even though there are different problems in healthcare in both countries, they are taking steps to develop better and most of the steps are working too.4 of us combined to provide our best work.

Adarsh

The group consisted of four people myself, Adarsh, Leandro and Manuel. Our topic is ableism. At first, we did research on the topic by searching on the internet and then we discussed how we wanted to proceed with it. We planned to divide it according to our own country and did more research on it. We had a fun time discussing and researching and we did our PPT on our laptop, organized it and prepared for the presentation. We did our presentation by 5 pm and we did our best as we prepared that much. We had tried our best and I think that that was my peek performance.

Jedidiah

The topic I had chosen for my project was ‘Homophobia: Non-Binary People’. It was sincerely a challenging topic for me to approach as conversations regarding the various gender identities are scarce in India and consequently, my knowledge of this issue was limited. However, this proved to be a great learning experience as I made efforts to learn more about the diverse gender spectrum. During the research phase of the project, I became familiar with my country’s laws regarding the rights of non-binary folk along with the inequalities they have to endure on a day-to-day basis. By engaging in insightful discussions with my Swiss partners, I acquired a better understanding of abstract concepts like gender, gender identity, and intersectionality through which I was able to tackle the subject constructively. Taking part in this project has helped me understand the world of NB’s better with their nuances and has led me to strongly believe that healthy discussions on gender identities in schools and households should be more commonplace.

Govind

The topic I had chosen for my project was – Homophobia- Non-Binary People. In the beginning, I only had limited knowledge regarding the subject as it is not often talked about in India. However, I put my sincere efforts into understanding and learning more about the topic and I was able to broaden my perspective, modify my views, and get more knowledge it also sparked an interest in me to research more about this particular topic. During the research process, I came to know about the rights and struggles of the non-binary people in India as well as Switzerland and I also got the opportunity to express my point of view regarding the topic and get to know my project partners' opinions too. Using our shared knowledge, we made a short ppt presentation of around 5 minutes and were able to present it successfully. Overall it was insightful and informative.

Anna Maria – Nashlie

The topic that I chose was homosexuality (bisexual people). We discussed the differences between India and Switzerland. We were able to throw light on the problems and discrimination faced by homosexual people. We talked about possible solutions to change people’s outlook and get homosexual people the same rights as others.

Anna Maria

The topic that I chose was Homosexuality: Homophobia. I had the chance to work with three others, to discuss the topic of homosexuality in both countries. Together we tried to come up with solutions on how we can better the situation of homosexuals in both countries. We also discussed the major causes of Homophobia and the stigma surrounding it, as well as how this could be avoided. It was a learning experience as all of us did extensive research on this issue and actively tried to come up with solutions to better handle this problem in both India and Switzerland.

Nashlie

The topic of my project was ‘Ableism: Mental Health Disorders’. As it was an area I was incredibly passionate about, it was a delight to dig deep into the issue while simultaneously learning about the situation in Switzerland. Before we began to work on our projects, Sir Tommi taught us concepts like intersectionality and capital using which discrimination can be studied effectively which were fascinating to learn. On a personal note, presenting our project in front of others pushed me out of my comfort zone and boosted my confidence to speak. Luckily, I had project partners who were equally interested in this subject and this created a healthy learning atmosphere where the ableist attitude towards the mentally ill in India and Switzerland was sensitively discussed.

Shruthi

The topic I had chosen for my project was “Discrimination against people with Mental
disorders”. It is an issue that is widely prevalent around the world and one which can be
reduced through open and effective communication and awareness. We were able to have a wonderful, informative and productive discussion and do a short presentation on the topic.I got the opportunity to share my views as well as listen to their opinions regarding the matter. Overall, it was an enlightening, informative and educative opportunity.

Ardra

It was a thought-provoking experience to present a project on Classism with an emphasis on job status during my time in Switzerland. The project delved into the impact of job-related classism on individuals and communities, exploring how it shapes societal structures. I emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to break down barriers and create more inclusive workplaces. Our Swiss team engaged with the discussion, providing valuable insights into their own experiences and perspectives. Overall, the project catalyzed cross-cultural dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of the nuances of
classism in different cultural contexts.

Abhinav

During our project in Switzerland, my partners and I took on the topic of classism in India and Switzerland. We dug into how each country defines and experiences it. Exploring these different perspectives helped us understand the various factors at play, like culture and economics. Our goal was to shed light on the shared and distinct challenges people face in each society. Through this project, we wanted to encourage open conversations about classism and emphasize the importance of considering different cultural viewpoints when tackling social issues.

Naman