Lewis & Clark Around the World

Programs associated with Lewis & Clark College, Portland OR

Ajna Weaver

Overseas program(s):  India Fall 2015 
Overseas project(s):   Holy Cow! An Investigation into Political, Spiritual and Social Intersections in India  
Expected graduation: May 2017
About me: My name is Ajna Weaver. I am in perpetual awe. I am currently a Rhetoric & Media Studies major and Environmental Studies minor at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. Combining these fields, I am interested in exploring the ways people talk (or don’t talk) about the socio-ecological contexts our lives are woven within. My research interests are vast, so please explore my site to see the various projects and courses I have devoted my energy to. No matter what I am exploring, I am passionate about integrating creative expression and artistic, alternative outcomes into my academic work. I am constantly changing and embrace dialogue in that process. Let's converse!
Guest is God - As my time in India is nearing the end, I’ve been reflecting on what I want to bring back with me (besides colorful scarves and small trinkets). What lessons have I learned? What stories do I share? What customs do I continue to practice? How do I respectfully and openly share this culture with my […]
Making Myself At Home - After living for a few weeks in Delhi (and about a week in Rishikesh), when I arrived in Chennai, I had a lot of thoughts about what it means to “feel at home” or “make yourself at home” somewhere. I used to think that those phrases always implied creating comfort, but now, approaching two months […]
The Mall is a Trip & a Trip to the Market - A Reflection from September 7th, 2015 Our incredible professor in Delhi, Sunil Kumar, lead us through a very conventional, western-style mall today. The inside was extremely clean, brightly lit up, air-conditioned, and consisted of expensive stores and Western brands. We walked through, used the bathroom (which was very clean, western-style, had toilet paper), and then […]
Research Proposal: Inquiries into the Intersectionality of India’s Holy Cow - Growing up, I always had an unexplainable affinity for cows. I became so emotionally attached to them, I gave up eating beef in 6th grade. When traveling in India in 2012, I learned about the “the holy cow” and was amazed to witness the Indian’s honor of the creature in contrast to the American culture […]
Integrating Historical Awareness into my Travels - The following reflections are my thoughts and processing of the information presented in The History of India by John McLeod, and how this knowledge will effect my travels in the country. Ancient Indian history shows the religious roots of the country– The religions that formed, grew, died, competed, and transformed in this region have a […]