Cora Woloson

Cora Woloson participated in the 2023 CLS Hindi Program hosted by the American Institute of Indian studies (AIIS) in Jaipur, India. She has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in Developing World Politics from the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo). Currently, Cora is a Development Coordinator for Grants and Prospects at The Desai Foundation and a 2024-2025 Banyan Impact Fellow with the American India Foundation. She envisions herself applying her proficiency in Hindi in a career at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Getting to Know Cora 

I grew up in the one-stoplight town of Honeoye, New York, a rural community 6 hours northwest of New York City. Being only an hour from Canada, I grew up ice skating and skiing with my two siblings as we’d then spend the summer months playing soccer and basketball and working on my neighbor's organic farm. Although I had grown to love the intimacy of my small town, leaving the country for the first time on a high school trip to France left me with a burning desire to travel. That's when I heard of Rotary Youth Exchange. Attending a local high school in another country and living with multiple host families, Rotary allows you to spend a full academic year abroad. So, while my friends were spending the summer after high school buying textbooks and looking for college roommates, I was watching Bollywood movies, I was trying on kurtas, I was getting ready to spend a full year in India! 

My Youth Exchange in India changed my life in more ways than I could ever express. Anticipating a culture incredibly different from my own, I was surprised when my host families in Mumbai showed me a kind of love that felt overwhelmingly familiar. In this bustling metropolis, the complete opposite of my quaint hometown, I was given a new surprise around every corner, and I couldn't have been more in love! 

Why Hindi? 

Traveling to Mumbai instilled in me a deep desire to gain cultural competence. In India, home to  22 national languages (and hundreds of others), I found that the friends I made on my Youth Exchange often knew English, Hindi (northern/national language) Marathi (state language) Tamil (their mother tounge) and more! Although I had always struggled learning languages growing up, I quickly realized language was a key component in connecting with others and building relationships abroad. Never getting to study the language formally, CLS was the first time I was able to really start making these kinds of heartfelt connections. 

A Favorite Phrase in Hindi 

While participating in CLS I would often use word links to help me study and memorize new vocabulary. When trying to remember the word for pomegranate अनार (Anaar) I would say “How long does it take to eat a pomegranate?” “An- aar (hour)” ... this was a joke that got many laughs amongst teachers, classmates and later, new friends. 

Why Should Others Learn Hindi? 

Hindi is incredible! Being a phonetic language, words are often pronounced exactly how they are written! Learning the language in an immersive environment is incredibly helpful too, as words and experiences often stand out as you learn the alphabet. I remember meeting our family friend Bhakti and practicing the pronunciation of her name again and again, making sure to get the right aspirated BH sound. While writing, I can always hear her name when I'm trying to distinguish between the two different “b” sounds in the Hindi alphabet. 

Hindi and International Development

I plan to pursue a career in International Development using my Hindi to increase cross-cultural understanding and serve women in underserved communities. Returning from CLS, I have had the privilege of working in the non-profit sector, where I write grant applications for programs uplifting women in rural India. This fall I am returning to the country to work as an American India Foundation, Banyan Impact fellow. For the next ten months, I will work with the non-profit, ACCESS Development Services as we work with women micro-entrepreneurs in New Delhi increasing microfinance and helping them to scale their businesses. I feel privileged to be afforded such a unique experience, one that would in no way be possible without my CLS experience. Later, by pursuing a master's degree in International Relations and furthering my language studies in Hindi, I hope to eventually work for USAID. 

Singing Along 

Before leaving the United States for my summer of CLS study I was listening to Bollywood music almost every day. The hit song from one of my favorite movies “Gully Boy” was titled “apna time aayega” ... which I google translated to find meant “my time will come”. When listening to it though I was confused. I had learned that the word “aap” meant “You” how could this mean “My time will come”? While in Jaipur after our “possessive” class I was ecstatic talking with my language partner, explaining the previous confusion and now understanding that “aap-na” is used to express possessions of others and the self. I’ll never forget when she looked at me singing and smiled saying “Now you really can sing it with your chest!! Your time has come!”

Promoting CLS in Rural Communities

Returning from the CLS program I have been overwhelmed with joy, often sharing fun lessons from my language learnings and times in India with friends, family, and co-workers. The skills the CLS experience afforded to me are invaluable, and relaying the significance of my experience to my peers comes with ease (“Cora, we get it, you LOVED going to India!”) Working with students still in Undergrad, while also visiting high school students, I want to let kids from rural communities and state-funded universities know, there really are programs available to everyone!

Words of Advice 

Do it! Language is the one gift that never stops giving! Studying languages in an immersive environment is life changing and by pursuing a critical language now, you are allowing yourself to create endless friendships and relationships for the rest of your life!