This summer, Digital Media Production student Sommaiya Angrish spent twelve weeks in India conducting a self-directed research project through FSU’s Global Scholars Program. This program provides students with guidance and support as they pursue their own student-designed learning experiences whether it be an internship or self-directed research project either in the United States or abroad.

During Sommaiya’s time in India, he met with different Indian musicians to create an interview-based database in audio-format in both Hindi and English. He explained, “The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how the sonic environment of places is reflected and manifested in music and how different sounds can narrate different philosophies emotionally.”

He found that the sonic environment artists were exposed to while growing up had a strong effect on their music later in life. “Some artists like Darzi found direct inspirations in the sound of their childhood home, whereas some artists like Raghav considered it to be the ‘vibe’ of one’s personality that naturally reflects in the music one creates. There were more subtle observations like artists using a few words more often in their songs, as those specific words innately meant their ‘vibe’ to them. I met some artists who had moved places and felt that it affected the sound of their production as well,” Sommaiya shared.

The Global Scholars Program utilizes both a theory course in the spring and a reflection course in the fall to provide peer community, mentorship, and structure to students pursuing experiences that align with their individual interests. Sommaiya expressed that he had a great experience with the program and that it allowed him to pursue a passion project of his. He was even able to interview Prabh Deep, one of his favorite artists in the Indian indie music industry, and had the opportunity to visit his home and his studio. This semester, Sommaiya plans to present his project at the Going Global Conference and complete his capstone project for the program.

To learn more about the Global Scholars Program, visit https://cre.fsu.edu/global/globalscholars