RSIS India 2025: Learning, Serving, Taking Responsibility

From 6 to 18 December 2025, I took part in the Round Square International Service Project (RSIS) in India. Together with 37 other students from around the world, I travelled to Madhya Pradesh, a state located approximately seven hours from Delhi, to support local villages.

At the heart of the project were the Round Square ideals of service and leadership. In a rural village, we helped build a library for the local community and organised a large healthcare camp where over 900 people received medical treatment. Many of these people had previously had little or no access to medical care. Seeing how important this initiative was for the villages and the real difference that collective commitment can make was particularly powerful.

Alongside the practical work, there was a strong focus on international exchange, in-depth conversations, and the conscious decision to go without mobile phones. Free from digital distractions, new friendships were formed and a deeper understanding of different ways of life emerged. Taking on rotating leadership roles taught us to accept responsibility, organise effectively and work together as a team.

The trip concluded with cultural experiences, temple visits and a safari, during which we were fortunate enough to see tigers in the wild.

RSIS India 2025 was a deeply formative experience. It was a journey that taught me to be aware of my privilege, take responsibility, and look beyond my own horizons.

Photos: Jakob