In late October, the college students and Radhadesh devotees had a magnificent opportunity to hear about Srila Prabhupada from two senior devotees, Dhananjaya Prabhu and Vishakha Mataji. They both related their personal experiences of joining the Hare Krishna movement and performing services for Srila Prabhupada. They also spoke about famous pastimes they were involved in.Dhananjaya joined ISKCON in London in 1969. He had practiced devotional service for only a short time before Prabhupada visited London. When Srila Prabhupada gave an arrival address and then asked for questions, Dhananjaya had a burning question on his mind and was the first to raise his hand.

Kirtan plays a central role in the spiritual practices of the students. Many students have naturally developed expertise in playing instruments and singing by growing up in an atmosphere of dedication to spiritual life and inner growth.

Some may say that learning is about academic knowledge, while for others it is about building relationships. Both types of learning help produce the well-rounded Vaishnava graduates of Bhaktivedanta College, and the eighth freshman class is being given all resources to achieve this goal. At the inauguration ceremony, the college students and the Radhadesh community members sang and ate, laughed and applauded, and reflected upon and appreciated the Hare Krishna movement together. Some were there to be formally introduced to the community, and others were there to offer support, but all relished the event in the same mood: how to further Srila Prabhupada's mission.The college has seven new students (I am one), a new building in the middle stage of being completed, and is coming up with a new Bachelor's degree specialization. Yadunandana Swami, the Principal, is eager for these developments.

The eighth class of first-year students was warmly greeted during Orientation Week. Seven students, from all parts of the world, were welcomed to their new home for the next nine months. Introductions, bhajans, and prasada were highlights of the week, as was a self-development aspect of the college: the Introspection Course, held by Anuradha Dasi, a visiting lecturer from Oxford."The group exercises and the lifelines we constructed of what it took to get us to Radhadesh," said Tivra Bhakti Dasi, a first-year student from Finland, were her "favorite parts."

Introductiory session: 13.9.09Bhagavad-gita ch. 1-9: Laksmimani Dasi (14.9.-11.10.09)Nectar of Instruction: Mangala Candrika Dasi (12.10.-25.10.09)Nectar of Devotion: Sudevi Dasi (26.10-8.11.09)Sri Isopanisad: HH Yadunandana Swami (9.11.-14.11.09)Bhagavad-gita ch. 10-18: Ramakesava Dasa and Dinadayal Dasa (23.11.-20.12.09) Come and experience this enlivening Vaishnava education in the peaceful setting of Radhadesh, Belgium. Please register by the end of August 2009. Package price: 1.108 EurosCovers the course costs and accomodation and prasadam. For more information and course registration, please contact the College Secretary:Tel: +32 (0)86 32-32-77 / E-mail: college@pamho.netFor accommodation and prasadam, please contact the Radhadesh Guesthouse:Tel: +32 (0)86 38-71-31 / E-mail: radhadesh.guesthouse@pamho.net

Bhaktivedanta College's first term courses for the academic year 2009/10:Bhagavata Purana: September 14 - September 25, 2009.Science and Religion: September 15 - September 19, 2009.Vaisnava Acaryas: September 21 - October 2, 2009.Teacher Training 1: September 21 - September 26, 2009.Vaisnava Vedanta: September 28 - October 9, 2009.Vastu/jotish Weekend: October 10 - October 11, 2009.Bhakti-yoga Retreat: October 24 - November 14, 2009.Prabhupada Retreat: October 26 - October 29, 2009.History of ISKCON: November 2 - November 6, 2009.ISKCON and Society: November 2 - November 13, 2009.Systemic Counseling: November 25 - November 29, 2009.Introduction to Sanskrit: November 30 - December 4, 2009.Sad Sandarbhas: December 7 - December 11, 2009.

"We would be very happy if we would have your support and experience in order to make the project successful." This was the note I received from Jaya Krsna Dasa, the Administrative Director of Bhaktivedanta College, who was wooing me into participating in the college's newest undertaking: prasadam distribution at a summer rock festival in Germany.I anticipated a great adventure, and I also looked forward to seeing how the college had developed in the two years since I had been a student.

The best way to see Bhaktivedanta College and Radhadesh is in three dimensions, in person. But the pictures here will give you a taste how it is to live and study there.

FB.init("7d179bef5cb172badea1cd710f0812c7"); Bhaktivedanta College on Facebook