Oral Histories

Interview of Richard Byrne

Subtitle:
Project India: The Early Years
Series:
Project India
Topic:
UCLA and University of California History
UCLA History: Events and Projects
Interviewer:
Brownstein, Bettina Ellen
Interviewee:
Byrne, Richard
Supporting Documents:
Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.
Language:
English
Copyright:
Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.
Series Statement:
This is a series of interviews with former UCLA students who participated in Project India, a program founded by Adaline Guenther, executive secretary of the University Religious Conference. Operating at the height of the Cold War, Project India was a cultural exchange program in which UCLA students toured India, speaking to Indian students and attempting to familiarize them with American life and the benefits of democracy.
Abstract:
Original involvement with University Religious Conference and Project India; Purpose of Project India and the political context; Ethnic, religious, and racial composition of Project Indians; Changes in Project India’s operation from 1953 to 1957; Relations with Adaline Guenther; Experiences as advisor in 1957; Adjustment of Project India members to conditions in India; First impressions on Indian students and educational system; Project team’s attempt to deal with culture shock; Effect of Project India experience on R. Byrne’s personal philosophy.