Puducherry
Puducherry (previously known as Pondicherry),aFrenchcolonialsettlementinIndiauntil 1954,isnowaUnionTerritorynestled inthesoutheastern state ofTamilNadu. Pondicherryhas a fascinating mix ofTamilcultural heritage and Frenchcolonialhistory. The historic neighborhoodoftheFrenchQuarter is knownforitstree-linedstreets,colonialvillasandchicboutiques. A seasidepromenadeontheedgeoftownrunsalongtheBayofBengalandishosttocafés,restaurantsandparks. Pondicherry is a three-hour drive from the metropolis of Chennai and 20 minutes from the alternative intentional community of Auroville.
HostInstitution: Independent Research
Mentor: Dr. Maguipuinamei Rejoyson (Joey) Thangal
Dr. ThangalisanAssistantProfessoratPondicherryUniversityspecializinginpsychology. Hisworkfocuseson studying the psychologicalimpactofstigma withinmarginalizedcommunitiesinIndia. Dr. Thangal’s work has primarily focused onMSM (menwhosleepwithmen),transgenderand/orHijra,Dalit, lowcasteand/orleperpopulations.Dr. Thangalalsoresearchesmicroaggressionsandcanadvisestudentsonmostmentalhealth research topics. Dr. Thangal will facilitate field work connections for studentsinterestedintheseandotherpopulationsandcanofferadvising. Studentsunder Dr. Thangal’ssupervisionarewelcometoattendhiscourselectures,joininonclasssite visitsandwillbeconnectedwithuniversitystudentsworkingonsimilarthemes. Students have the option of staying on the campus of Pondicherry University located 20 minutes outside of Puducherry in the town of Kalepet or in a guesthouse located in Puducherry.