Madison Ianniello

Madison Ianniello participated in the 2023 CLS Hindi Program hosted by American Institute of Indian Studies in Jaipur, India. Madison is a graduate of International Studies, Advanced Leadership and History at American University in Washington, DC. Madison currently works as a Military Operations Analyst and plans to continue to study the intersection between human behavior and military technology. She hopes to complete a Fulbright in India and incorporate her Hindi language skills in her future career endeavors.

Getting to Know Madison 

I call central New Jersey home! From a young age, I’ve enjoyed staying active and performing. From playing soccer and throwing discus to joining intramural volleyball teams I’m always excited to get outside and enjoy some competitive fun. Growing up, I participated in theatre and choir but made the transition in college to Mock Trial, a simulation of a court trial where students take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses in a fictional case. In my free time, I love to wander new neighborhoods and find hidden gems--I’m quite the foodie! My hometown has a thriving Indian diaspora and larger community from a variety of South Asian cultures. I decided to study Hindi to better understand the folks who helped raise me. I have two younger brothers and everyone in my family’s name starts with M!

Why did you want to study Hindi? 

I’ve always had an interest in military technology and human behavior. India has a significant space and nuclear program as well as a diverse array of cultures and beliefs. I didn’t think I’d be able to grasp the magnitude of that overlap without some language and immersive experience.

A Favorite Phrase in Hindi 

During our program, we used the phrase “ बड़ा” (Bara) in conjunction with other words quite often. Bara means big in Hindi so we might say "बड़ा slay" to celebrate our peers.

Embracing Mistakes 

During my first host family dinner I was still learning how to eat with just one hand. We were having a very saucy dish, and I accidentally spilt some on the front of my shirt. It was embarrassing and I worried I was making a poor first impression. I also didn’t have the language skills to fully express myself, which made it difficult to gauge my host family’s reaction. This was one of many blunders and I had to learn how to laugh at myself and continue making my best effort. The only way to improve was to try, and sometimes that meant embarrassing myself. That also applied to language study! If I never let myself make mistakes, I would never improve.

Developing Greater Respect and Patience 

An example of something I brought back from my CLS Program was exemplified in a conversation I had with my brother. My brother was telling me that many of his friends have cats named “Billy”. I was able to share that in Hindi, Billy is similar to the word for cat. I think more generally, I’ve learned to have greater respect and patience for practices I don’t immediately understand. I do my best to encourage friends and family to have the same approach when folks from other cultures interact with them in the States. 

Would you recommend Hindi to others?

I would recommend Hindi to anyone who loves a challenge and is motivated to connect with people. Throughout my time in India, despite the presence of so many folks fluent in English, I always gained deeper connection when I tried to communicate in Hindi. From spending time in Varanasi to Jaipur, my experience became more engaging as I improved my Hindi skills— I also got better deals while bartering! In a country with such diverse cultures and experiences, having an additional bridge through Hindi meant I could understand and learn from so many different communities. 

Words of Advice

I’m a big proponent for trusting the process and trusting yourself. Applying for such an amazing opportunity can be daunting and sometimes you’ll feel pressured to craft the “perfect” narrative— but honesty is much more compelling. The fact that you are taking time to prepare an application says you have an interest in learning your target language. Instead of searching for a perfect pitch, try and understand what your “why” actually is! Frustration is a part of growth. It means that you see your gaps and where you have to grow. When I arrived in India, I could barely introduce myself and at times it was deeply frustrating to not be able to express my ideas or needs. But this frustration gave me direction and motivation to study. It also made my progress even more deeply rewarding.