Goducate’s Global Life Hub in Hyderabad, South India, was launched on 11 August 2012. Today, 6 months on, we have 100 members, of whom 30 are women. Some 50 members come regularly to enjoy the ambience, the activities, the free coffee, and to surf the internet.
We Indians have been brought up with the idea that only marks and grades guarantee a good fortune. Nevertheless, students are now realizing that grades alone are not enough for securing a job. Every year India produces thousands of graduates of all specialties, yet few of them fit into professional life in multinational companies. And this is due to lack of confidence, poor ability to communicate in English, and insufficient knowledge of the wider world.
The aim of the Global Life Hub is to provide a place with an international ambience where students can develop the skills they need by talking and chatting to other students and people from different countries, by learning to think creatively, and by practicing how to communicate well.
To help the members learn about international culture and lifestyles we have invited foreign business consultants to talk about life and opportunities for employment and further studies in their countries. In addition, we have 2 American teams who come to interact with the members every week. Members were also exposed to foreign culture, traditions, and food habits through a baking session in December.
To expose the students to life in the corporate world we have invited software engineers from large multinational corporations to share their experiences.
To help members learn to speak English well and confidently, we hold sessions on pronunciation and accents, and on public speaking. An example of a speaking activity was the one held a couple of weeks ago, when members were asked what sections they would include, and why, if they were given a chance to edit a new magazine for teenagers. They had to choose from a list of sections, such as, music, fashion, problem page, study opportunities, summer jobs, astrology, health, etc. Each was given 3 min to talk about their choice, and they came up with some creative ideas.
I think we are achieving our goal. Those members who come regularly have become more confident, have become more creative in their thinking, and have overcome their fear of addressing a crowd.
