An Educationist with a Love for Travel

Alison Barrett, director India, British Council, has a deep curiosity about different cultures, which fuels her passion for travel. She has a particular fondness for India where she now lives

- Nandini Keshari

For Alison Barrett, India is more than just a country—it forms a big part of her identity. “I've spent two decades living, working and travelling across India and I love the country very much,” she says. The Himalayas and the serene landscapes of Ladakh hold a special place in her heart.

Varanasi, the city of ghats, is one of her favourites. It was here that she learned Hindi before joining the British Council. After spending a considerable amount of time in Delhi and Chennai, she loves both the cities. Her curiosity about people's stories, their experiences and cultures, takes her to places. Different cultures and history fascinate her.

At an early age, Barrett took up a voluntary position in a school in Nepal and went to Japan to teach English in one of its high schools. She had spent a chunk of her life in these two countries and also connected deeply with their people and cultures. “In Japan, the people were incredibly friendly, and I found the whole experience very similar to my own upbringing in the UK,” Barrett recalls.