Why a learning journey

Gandhi Fellows join the program to cause impact on the ground and to discover their private dream. GFs undergo a very intense engagement with issues pertaining to education, teaching learning and school change. This intensive engagement helps them understand the complexities of primary education and related issues with depth and maturity.

GFs need to take time to explore and learn from experiences outside of KEF.  It is in this light that the Learning Journey is designed. The Learning  Journey ( LJ)needs to contribute to the GFs growth in the following areas

1)       Help GF develop perspective on systems and issues beyond education.

2)     Help GFs understand how organizations in different domains and geographies work.

3)      Help GF build upon their interest and passion.

4)     Help GF develop self- awareness and sharpen self-management

Design and Schedule of the Learning Journeys

In the period of two years of the Fellowship 6-8 weeks will be devoted to the Learning Journey.

The Learning Journey -1 will be of up to 4 weeks and scheduled before the summer break at the end of the 1^st year of the Fellowship.

The second Learning journey will be of 3-4 weeks during the last phase of the Fellowship when the GF is working as a Research Associate within a KEF department.

The time allocated for the Learning Journey includes

1)       Time taken to plan and prepare for the LJ

2)     Travel to and fro

3)      The actual time spent at the venue

4)     Time to consolidate the experiences of the LJ.

Learning Journey -1:

• Attend a 10day Vipassana Meditation Camp (12 days – 2days for travel and 10 days for the camp.)


• A group visit to a development organization in a field other than education.  For example, this could be a microfinance institution, an environment focused organization, livelihood related or an innovation based organization. (  7 days Travel and Visit)


• Consolidate and share this experience and learning with peers (3days).

Learning Journey -2

The second one is an Individual LJ designed on the basis of the GFs articulation of his/her private dream. It can be…

1)       Exploratory LJ: Shadowing a role model figure for a week to understand how that person works and functions. For example, a GF contemplating to be a social entrepreneur may spend time with a one such leader and experience and understand what it takes to run a social enterprise. Or a GF is wondering whether s/he should follow a corporate career or a development career can take spend time in both to make a more informed decision. This is recommended if the GF is still considering different options and cannot decide what s/he wants to take up.

2)     Placement LJ: Visiting an organization/s which works in the area of one’s private dream and a place one would like to work in. If the GF is clear about his/her private dream role s/he can shortlist and initiate a dialogue in with organizations that s/he can potentially join. Visit these organizations to understand how they function and arrive at an informed decision about joining them.

3)      Skill Building LJ: Engage in an activity that enhances a skill in an area of interest or passion. If the private dream of a GF is related to development of a specific skill, say photography, or film-making or theatre and the GF feels that an intensive engagement with such practice is needed then the GF can  take up such an assignment for a fortnight or so. A GF who chooses to pursue this kind of a Learning Journey needs to share and convince the supervisor and coach why it is needed

How to design the Individual learning Journey:

1. By the end of PR3 GFs have an articulation for their private dream. That articulation has to be the base for planning the Learning Journey.


2. Based on this articulation the GF with the coach/ career counselor arrive at what kind of LJ s/he needs. Is it the exploratory kind? Is it focused on placement? Is it about developing a skill?  GF mentor may also suggest and help GF to arrive at good understanding.


3. Once having arrived at this GF needs to shortlist organizations, individuals GF needs to communicate with. And initiate a communication.


4. Having decided who/what/ where of the journey plan for the visit.

Points to remember in planning LJ2

GF needs to remember that the last phase of the Fellowship is also the time s/he will be working as a Research Associate within KEF. That will require time , attention and responsibility. GF needs to balance time between RAship responsibilities, reading and responding to the Leadership Curriculum and planning their Learning Journey.

The 4 weeks of the Learning Journey includes time required to plan and prepare for it and the time to make the actual visit. It is recommended that GFs budget up to 2 weeks for planning and consolidation and 2 weeks for the actual visit.

Ideally, the best time to make the visit for the LJ is in the first two weeks of May. It is possible though that some GFs may need to make a visit   before this time. In such a case GF will need to get the support of the Program Manager s/he is reporting to co-operate.

Expenses incurred during LJs.

• In executing the Learning Journey GFs will incur travel, lodging and boarding expenses. These will be borne by KEF.


• Costs of up to two visits will be reimbursed. For example, a GF plans to visit organizations related to environmental issues in Rajasthan, Kerala and Orissa. KEF will be able to support the GF on 2 travels with lodging and boarding expenses of not more than 10 days.


• If the GF feels the need to explore further, it will have to be done at own expense.


• If, as part of the Learning Journey a GF needs to attend a workshop. KEF will support the travel/lodging and boarding for it but the fees for the workshop will need to borne by the GF.