The Indian social system is characterised by a mix of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions. However, the family always remains at the heart of society and often expands beyond close relatives such as uncles, grandparents and grandchildren. It is also characterised by a dense network of ties, and relatives are often present when important decisions are made. They are proud of their family unit membership and careful to protect its public reputation. This is a key feature of the Indian social system. Indians often relate to each other in circumstances outside the family by paying attention to their interlocutor’s family origins, where they live and their circle of kinship and friendships. Therefore, for AFS students, joining an Indian family means fitting into an extraordinary web of relationships and affection. It involves making a commitment from the outset to respect family members and not disappoint their expectations.
It is not uncommon for teachers at the schools where students are placed to offer hospitality, often in the form of accommodation on the school campus.
Indian society is changing rapidly. While it was common for women not to work a few years ago, girls who have completed their studies are now increasingly entering the workforce.
Children must always ask their parents for permission to go out or participate in extracurricular activities, although males generally enjoy more freedom than females. Courses in yoga and meditation, pottery and handicrafts, local dances and languages are widespread and usually inexpensive. Then there are local traditions, especially festivals and weddings characterised by hundreds of guests, which foreign students will inevitably attend given the extent of family relationships.
