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Category: SiSA

Expectations before going to India

Expectations before going to India

I would describe my emotions as a little nervous and more excited. I am nervous because this is my first international trip by myself, and I am excited to see my extended family in India. Originally from India, I moved at a very young age and haven’t seen India through the perception I have right now. Despite being a native, India still presents unique challenges. Navigating through these unprecedented challenges would perhaps prepare me for my future endeavors. Additionally, I…

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Navigating My Internship

Navigating My Internship

Research can be a formidable task, and my journey through my internship has been both enlightening and challenging. Despite previously working as a research assistant for several semesters, managing a project with a degree of independence has presented its own set of obstacles. My project delves into the nuances of the bilateral relationship between the European Union and Sri Lanka, focusing specifically on how Sri Lanka’s adherence to human rights influences the financial support it receives from the EU. Initially,…

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Peace and Chaos

Peace and Chaos

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Blog 4 – The Next Two Weeks Lately, things appear to have settled into a slower rhythm – I’ve grown far more familiar with the city and, surprisingly, even the language. I’m now used to taking the ‘share’ autos to save money, drinking morning and afternoon chai, and even using the bathroom! Having wrapped up most of my responsibilities in the health division internship, I often find myself helping with random tasks and accompanying my colleagues on field trips (they…

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Meditation in the Mountainous City — Kandy

Meditation in the Mountainous City — Kandy

As I shouldered my backpack and bid farewell to my gracious host, I hailed a tuk-tuk in a rush of excitement and anticipation. I was on my way to Kandy, the mountainous heart of Sri Lanka, accompanied by my friend Mitshi. Our journey had been postponed due to transportation challenges and personal commitments. Mitshi had explained that Kandy and Colombo experience a weekly commuter surge as many travel for work. Tickets are especially scarce on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Additionally,…

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A Little Chai Goes a Long Way

A Little Chai Goes a Long Way

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As my last week of work comes to an end, I cant help but think about all the chai I’ve indulged in here. Once at 11am and then again at 3pm. Hey, You may have to work 6 days a week in India, but at least you get chai. It was hard at first not having coffee, but I can confidently say, the chai regime will continue on in the US. This last week, I’ve been working mostly on the…

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City of a Thousand Temples

City of a Thousand Temples

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Blog 3 – Festivities This blog post will be a touch shorter, yet I couldn’t resist dedicating an entire entry to the Wooden Chariot Festival—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. To give you some background, Kanchipuram is renowned for three primary attractions: its sarees, its temples, and its idlis. And today, it was the temples’ moment in the spotlight. In Kanchipuram, the two most celebrated temples are the Perumal (Vishnu) temple and the Shiva temple. The exact nature of the…

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A Week of Excitement

A Week of Excitement

My second week was by far my most interesting week here in India in terms of my work. I was informed my first week that on that Monday a group from the EU was going to come and visit our NGO. I was given little information about the visit as the reasoning provided to my NGO on the visit was not very detailed or specific. The day they were arrived everyone seemed to be pretty excited and eager to meet…

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Privilege and New Experiences

Privilege and New Experiences

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Blog 2 – My First Two Weeks in India The past two weeks have been surreal, with so many ups and downs. Honestly, though, on the surface, nothing has truly surprised me. Through my trip and work in India, I aim to immerse myself in Indian culture, refine my mother tongue, enhance my global awareness, and most importantly, embrace a more adventurous and risk-taking spirit – I’m confident I will! However, my parents have done everything they can to shield…

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Embracing Colombo: A Journey of Discovery

Embracing Colombo: A Journey of Discovery

Colombo has truly captured my heart as a city that’s not only wonderful to visit but also a charming place to study and live. The warmth and genuine spirit of the people here have allowed me to form meaningful connections, offering me an authentic understanding of their views on life in Sri Lanka. I’m fascinated by the intricate nuances of the local perspective, particularly when discussing the relationship between Sri Lanka and India and how people see the political landscape,…

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Pre-Departure Blog

Pre-Departure Blog

Although I feel like I planned this trip intensely, it never really felt like I was actually going to go to India. Now, as I sit in the airport after coming to the airport 4 hours before my flight (I was nervous I was going to miss it), its beginning to feel very real! I found the actual planning process of communicating with the NGO in Bengaluru, booking flights and housing accommodation, and fulfilling all of the travel requirements a…

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