Learning Beyond the Classroom: A Fun and Memorable Scavenger Hunt

In Kusum Knapczyk’s Hindi class, learning is never confined to four walls—it blossoms in the open air. This week, students stepped outside the classroom with handouts full of intriguing clues and ventured into the lush beauty of Duke Gardens for an interactive scavenger hunt. Their mission? Decode clues in Hindi, find the objects, and capture them in photos.

One clue read: “There is a flower in the garden that is also a vegetable, and we eat it with love.” After some lively discussion, students cracked the answer—cauliflower! Another clue challenged them to look skyward: “When you are walking on the grass, look up. There is something bright orange, and it is the only one in the world.” The response was unanimous—the sun.

The gardens buzzed with excitement as groups explored winding paths, vibrant blooms, and hidden corners. Raida called the experience “very fun and a great way to bond with classmates like Raaghav and Praneeth.” Aastha discovered parts of the gardens she had never seen before, while Yana loved the thrill of running into other groups and soaking in the beautiful weather. Geethika found joy in identifying nature’s treasures in Hindi and exploring the vegetable garden. Sarisma appreciated the refreshing change of scenery and learning new words, and Arya admitted that while some clues were tricky, her group enjoyed solving them together. Akshara highlighted the perfect weather, and Aashiv valued connecting with classmates through language. Priya enjoyed translating clues while strolling through the gardens, and Anagha described the hunt as “a puzzle that was easy to follow and a fun way to know classmates better.” Anay summed it up perfectly: “An overall wonderful experience that combined learning, teamwork, and exploration.”

The scavenger hunt was far more than a game—it became a joyful celebration of language, nature, and community. Amid laughter and discovery, students didn’t just solve clues; they created lasting memories under the open sky.

This event was supported by Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.