Communicating Across Cultures Course Leads Kean Ocean to the Nation’s Largest Temple I Published November 26

By: Jordan Beaudoin

Every semester at Kean University, each department always has something fun to do for its students, and
this semester allowed a fun field trip for students to get involved in.

This semester, students had the opportunity to take a course called Communicating Across Cultures.
Professor Courtney Atkins, who teaches in the communications department, runs this course. It is a
33,000-free electives course open to students currently on track for a communications degree and
students on track for a different degree.

Students in this course have gotten hands-on experience in all aspects. This course prepares students to
be aware of the world’s intercultural elements. This class is primarily a hands-on experience.

They have been doing many projects in the course. Students in this class have been having Zoom calls
with the students on the Kean Wenzhou campus in China and getting to know them while they learn
about Kean in the States. Students in the class have been having interviews with the students and
approaching the meetings using the Anxiety theory.

Students have also been given another assignment to talk to someone from a different culture; currently, one student is talking to someone from Turkey, one isinterviewing someone from Romania, and someone is interviewing a catholic priest. This semester, thecourse has also focused on group projects, genocide, and the United Nations. Students have also been
studying a lot of Japan this semester within the course.

On November 7, Professor Atkins took her Kean Ocean students to Robbinsville, New Jersey, to explore
the largest Hindu temple in the United States. They went to the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. She wanted them to understand another culture outside of the classroom.

“One of the reasons I wanted to take the students there was because it was a lot more attainable than
traveling to India. It was an opportunity to be in another culture without leaving New Jersey. Another
Reason is that I went to a sibling temple in India. When I was in Delhi, I went to this temple, and I think
it’s amazing that it’s the same cultural branch as Robbinsville. They’re all related to the same
organization, and I thought my experience in Delhi was beautiful. I wanted the students to see what
Hindu culture was like in person,” Atkin said.

It’s a hand-carved temple shipped from India that is assembled in pieces. Many volunteers work there,
and the project is still in progress. There is a lot to do there. Professor Atkins thought this would be a great idea, considering everything students have been studying this semester.

“It also provided equity for Kean Ocean Students to have an opportunity to explore something off
campus that relates to their curriculum,” said Atkins.

The group took a Kean Bus from the Kean Ocean Campus to the Temple in Robbinsville. There was
space for up to 40 students to go on the trip. Atkins opened it up to one of her other courses, Event
Planning. She then opened it to different courses, students, and other students involved in the
communications program.

While they were there, Students had a great time. When they first got there, there was a welcome video.
After that, everyone felt welcome and felt they would not be lost at all. One custom in the Temple was for students to remove their shoes. Students were split into two groups and led by volunteer tour guides.

We had the chance to ask one of the temple’s volunteers a few questions. Jay Kapadia, who has been
volunteering at the temple for the last two decades, was one of the volunteers we talked to.
We asked him about his fascination with the temple and why he enjoys working there.

“I’ve been part of BAPS for over 2 decades, and it is tough to pinpoint what fascinates me. However,
there are two things I initially thought of. First, the people of BAPS constantly fascinate me. Worldwide,
you will find people who dedicate their lives to selfless service. These individuals are not free of other
responsibilities – they have a family, their careers or businesses (many of whom are at the pinnacle of
their industry), or their education they’re working on; the list is endless. Yet, you will find them
volunteering their time wholeheartedly, without any expectations. Second, our lineage of gurus.” Gurus
are spiritual teachers who mainly impart initiation.

“I have been blessed to spend time with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who passed away in 2016, and our
current guru, Mahant Swami Maharaj. Their lives and teachings inspire everyone – irrespective of
religious affiliation – to be the best at what they pursue and to treat and love everyone equally. The
purity of their thoughts, words, and actions is unparalleled.” Said Kapadia.

We also asked him why he volunteers at the temple among the many other people who do. “At a young age, I began attending the weekly children’s classes, and I started to feel a sense of purpose and felt I was in the right place. I would see many others volunteering in various capacities, and naturally, I wanted to get involved as well. When I began studying and learning more about the lives of Bhagwan Swaminarayan (founder of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, and who we worship as ultimate God) and our gurus, I understood the importance of volunteering selflessly and serving others.”

He has also continued to learn and grow from volunteering at the temple. “The nature of my involvement with the temple has evolved as I grow older, but the principles have stayed the same – it is a way for me to give back and work on ridding myself of the innate selfish qualities embedded in our human nature. Simply put, volunteering at the temple nourishes my soul.” Kapadia said.

The tour lasted about two and a half hours, and students could explore independently.
Some students who attended the trip had a great time and had nothing but good things to say about it.
They all had the chance to learn something new.

Adam Crist, a junior this year studying communications studies, had these things to say about the trip: “I
enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.” He learned several new things while on the trip, “I learned about their spiritual leaders and how it was constructed.”

Nina Fiocco, a senior this year studying communications studies, also commented about the trip.
“I did have fun on the trip. I enjoyed learning about it and experiencing the aspects of Hindu culture.”
In talking with Fiocco, she explained what she had learned on the trip, “I learned a lot about Bhagwan
Swaminarayan. He is the god this temple has been dedicated to since he started the Swaminarayan
Hindu Tradition.”

Jack Larkin, “I thought it was cool. I loved how authentic it was; it was a new culture, and I loved every
bit of it. I even had a little food, which I never had before. So I said, ” wow, this is different compared to
what I usually have,” said Larkin.

Larkin also shared what he learned while on the trip, “I learned that everyone has a different perception of their life. I learned that everyone has their values.”

Professor Atkins also enjoyed this trip. It wasn’t her first time going, but she enjoyed it with her
students.

“I liked how many representations of different Deities and symbols were in the temple’s
carvings. I feel like there was just so much for my eyes to witness. It was also very relaxing,” said
Atkins.

She intends to take her future cross-cultural classes here again. It’s something students should look into
in the future. They will have a blast. Other students who attended this trip have also gone back to the
temple since the trip. This is something for Kean Students to look into and a class for their future
courses.

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