Fireside Chat: Jonathan’s Transformative Summer in India

Jonathan and his program cohort at the Mumbai Indians cricket match

In this Fireside Chat, Brigitta Richmond, director of summer and short-term study abroad programs at Notre Dame Global, sits down with Jonathan Granda Acaro, a senior double-majoring in computer science and Spanish, to reflect on his unforgettable study abroad experience in India during the summer of 2024.

Over masala chai and conversation, Jonathan reflected on how his time in India shaped not only his worldview but also his academic and personal path. “It gave me a whole new lens,” he shared. “We’re all chasing our dreams, just in such different ways depending on where we are in the world.”

Hosted by Notre Dame Mumbai, the summer program offered students a chance to experience life in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. From standing before the Taj Mahal to cheering on the Mumbai Indians at a live cricket match, Jonathan found himself immersed in both iconic landmarks and the rhythms of everyday life. But what made the experience truly meaningful was how intentionally he approached it. He didn’t just observe—he connected. Whether it was chatting with local students on a boat ride to Elephanta Caves or keeping in touch with a local tour guide long after the trip ended, Jonathan took the time to hear people’s stories and share his own.

What stood out most was how open he was to engaging deeply with his surroundings. “Study abroad is what you make of it,” he said. “You have to be flexible, curious, and willing to see the world through someone else’s eyes.”

As a computer science major, he also found unexpected connections between his studies and what he encountered during the course, which focused on government, economics, and history. Witnessing India’s national elections firsthand—the largest democratic process in the world—prompted him to reflect on the role of data, policy, and technology in shaping civic life.

Almost a year later, he’s still thinking about the experience, journaling about it, and proudly wearing his Mumbai Indians cricket jersey. “I think I’ve become a better person because of India,” he said. “The way I think, the way I see life and the world—it’s all changed.”

Watch the full conversation here

Originally published by Hayden Mascarenhas at mumbai.nd.edu on July 02, 2025.