"During the winter break, I traveled to Arunachal Pradesh, popularly known as 'Land of Dawn-lit-Mountains.' It is India’s [most remote] state and the first Indian soil to greet the rising sun. Located on the northeastern tip of India, with its borders touching China, Bhutan, and Myanmar, this beautiful land is endowed with a dazzling array of flora and fauna. More than 500 rare species of orchids are found in the dense jungles of Arunachal Pradesh. Traveling like a local in shared sumo vehicles to Basar, Aalo, Pasighat, Daying Ering Memorial Sanctuary, Mechuka, Miao, and Namdapha was an amazing experience. I was able to see an eco-conservation project, sacred groves, local tribal culture, a wildlife sanctuary on an island, a tropical rainforest, and snow-covered mountains. People are very friendly and hospitable, and as a solo traveler, [it is] one of the safest places I've been to."
— Poonam Kakodkar, Class of 2026, Learning and Instruction EdD
