A ten-member delegation from the US state of Montana, comprising seven high school students and three chaperones, is currently on a study visit to India, experiencing what they describe as a ‘magical’ and transformative journey.
The Consulate General of India in Seattle selected the group based on their outstanding participation in EconoQuest 2025 at Montana State University and Academic WorldQuest 2025 at the University of Montana, Missoula.
Jason Smith, a member of the Board of Directors of the Montana World Affairs Council, praised India for its warmth and uniqueness.
“I’ve had the good fortune to visit India twice before, but coming back with this group of young people has made it even more special. I’ve always found my time in India to be magical; the people are warm and wonderful, and the sights and sounds are unmatched. There’s no place like it on Earth,” Smith told the media.
He added that travelling with young, eager students made the visit even more meaningful.
“We do have many beautiful open spaces in Montana, but what we don’t have is good Indian food,” he said. “For someone who loves food, Delhi has been a treat, from breakfast to dinner.”
Clara DePuy, one of the students in the delegation, said she felt excited to experience India’s flora and fauna, which she found vastly different from what she knows in Montana.
“Coming to India, I didn’t know what to expect. What I’m realising is that many of our assumptions, shaped by school or the media, often don’t reflect reality. That’s an important lesson,” she said.
A recent graduate from Lockwood High School, Lara Larson said she thrilled herself by experiencing a culture so different from her own.
“There’s so much colour, so many flavours, and I’m looking forward to seeing the Taj Mahal. We read Siddhartha in school, and this trip feels perfectly timed. I can’t wait to learn more about Indian religion and how people live their lives,” she shared.
Emily Brandenburg, another student, said that reading Siddhartha introduced her to a non-Western perspective on religion, deepening her connection to Indian culture.
She also expressed enthusiasm for Bollywood and the Indian film industry.
Alli DePuy, a teacher accompanying the group, thanked the hosts for their incredible hospitality.
“We’ve been welcomed with open arms, lots of love, delicious food, and genuine friendship,” she said.
The ongoing visit highlights growing people-to-people ties between India and the United States, particularly through academic and cultural exchanges.
The delegation’s journey is not only enhancing cross-cultural understanding but also dispelling stereotypes and building lasting friendships.
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