I have always known it was my dream to see the world. Through the “Leave UR Mark” website, I took the perfect opportunity to volunteer abroad, at the Institute for the Deaf in Bangalore, India for two weeks. Indian Sign Language (ISL) differs throughout the regions of India. However, American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) had a huge influence on ISL so I was able to detect half of the conversations and often had to pause to ask, “What does that sign mean?” Luckily, they know English, so we had that as our base to fall back on. Everybody was all of a sudden curious about me the moment I stepped a foot into that school, approaching me asking me for my name and where I came from. They all mumbled and signed in awe, “America”. “What is America like? What do you eat in America? Where is your family?” The students continually asked me question after question. As I explained myself, their eyes sparked with eagerness.
I showed them an 8 minute, inspiring Gallaudet University video, proving that a Deaf university does exist. I also showed them many different Deaf videos including Deaf children expressing their dreams, successfully Deaf adults and persuaded them that being Deaf is not an excuse for thinking you are inadequate.
ISL alphabet storytelling was something the students were fascinated by. It required them to think in ISL and not focus on English for once. The stories are created using their hands to make shapes that represent the alphabet, A-Z. The kids were confused at first; repeatedly picking English words to match the letter we were focusing on the story. For example, A in English is apple, but in sign language the sign for the word apple uses the hand-shape of the letter X. Which forced them to think in sign language instead of English.
Since ISL is strongly influenced by BSL alphabet, it was so new to me. One of the students kept asking me if I knew how to sign the BSL alphabet and at first I didn’t. Throughout the week at the school, she would challenge me and then practice it with me. By the end of the week, I was an expert at the BSL alphabet, which she often smiled and nodded in approvals when I proved her otherwise. I also often found myself practicing it outside of the classroom.
Often when you are a foreign, people would stare at you in curiosity, asking you for permission to take picture with. I realize, it is the same with the students, how often do you think they would find a foreigner, yet alone Deaf? Everyday the students would ask me, “When are you leaving”? “28 of February”, I would say. “You are coming back tomorrow right?” asked the students. “Yes I am”, I replied. As the day came and went, getting closer to my last day. I didn’t want to but my time came and went like a blink. However, I truly believe I had left my mark at SKID in India.
