Katie and Bill Sweeting with SIddhi and Britney – Fergusson College students

Katie and Bill - Welcome at Fergusson College

Katie and Bill on our favorite street - FC Road

Katie and Bill with Soumya - Fergusson College Student

As a Fulbright scholar, I am entitled to bring a companion. If my companion stays at least 80% of the grant duration, he is entitled to free airfare and a small housing allowance. My husband Bill agreed to accompany me to India, giving up his own hoped-for trip to the Philippines. He got a one-way ticket as he wasn’t sure when he would return, but he planned to stay 4-6 weeks. We’ve now been here almost 10 weeks, and he recently decided to stay for the duration. I’m glad he did! He has been a tremendous blessing in so many ways, and we have grown closer (even after 39 years of marriage).

I tease Bill and say he’s my blackboard washer and water-bottle carrier. He is, but he is so much more. For the first several weeks, Bill accompanied me to Fergusson College every day, joining me on the risky rickshaw ride—a 15-minute weaving and bobbing through the Pune traffic. In my Creative Writing classroom, Bill would turn on the lights and fans and open the two small windows. He sat in the back, but he ended up participating in the class occasionally. The first week we discussed “A Civil Peace” by Chinua Achebe. Bill is a fan of Nigerian comedies, so I recruited him to read some of the vernacular dialogue in the story: “Na tief-man and him people” and “Police-o! Thieves-o! Neighbors-o!” and “So wetin we go do now? Sometaim you wan call soja?” (Achebe 392, Civil peace.pdf (cusd80.com). When our class discussed the short-short story “Girl,” by Jamaica Kincaid, Bill offered up some interesting tidbits about her biography he remembered from his own college days. And when I was in a quandary about which short story to use to highlight using dialogue to advance characterization and plot, Bill suggested “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” by J.D. Salinger. I was unfamiliar with the story, but some of my students had read it, and it turned out to be a perfect example for dialogue.

Creative Writing class at Fergusson College

Research Methodology class at Fergusson College

In addition to commuting with me, and adding to the class, Bill was my official photographer. I have an album full of great photographs of my students—working in small groups, raising their hands, giving presentations; and images of me teaching—with and without power. These pictures will be used in blogs; for my final Fulbright report; in other Fulbright publications; and for the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), as evidence that Creative Writing and Research Methodology were “value-added” courses.

Although Bill is not a big fan of Indian food (as I am), we have had many enjoyable and memorable meals together. I can’t imagine eating alone for most of my meals! After an afternoon of teaching in 40+ degree Celsius heat (104 Fahrenheit), we often stop across the street at Starbucks for a cool refreshing drink like Chocolate Delight or Mango Frap. We were such regulars at Starbucks, they had a special goodbye for us! We went out for good Indian (and Western) food with my colleague Chitra and her husband and daughter, and Bill really enjoyed grilling with his friend Pastor Salve.

Katie enjoying a #ThandaiSpiceFrappuccino®️ at Starbucks

Starbucks staff farewell cake

Dinner with the Sreedharans

Grilling at the Salves

In addition to being my companion, I’m thankful Bill has had many opportunities for ministry. He is on sabbatical from his pastorate, but he has been called on several times to speak in churches, lead devotions for children and staff, and pray. He has been busier than he imagined both here in Pune and in Kedgaon, where we often go on the weekends to Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission. The few pictures below offer a glimpse of his ministry here.

We celebrated our anniversary at Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission—a weekend of service and ministry. I can’t think of a better way to enter our 40th year of marriage together. I’m so thankful for my Fulbright companion, and more importantly, my partner in life.

Bill and Katie - 39th anniversary