The first two weeks of my ten week stay have been exhilarating and very interesting to say the least! After being delayed three hours on the tarmac at Charles De Gaulle in Paris, I finally arrived in Bangalore at around 2 am. The landing was anything but smooth. Due to the heavy rains in the area, we had to circle the city twice until conditions were good and once we landed, the plane seemed to bounce on the runway before…
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…
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,…
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…
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,…
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…
Preparation At first it was months, then weeks, and now a matter of days until I depart for India. Although I have had a few months to prepare for my time in India, the time has flied, almost as if I was having fun. Things like arranging the details of my internship, applying for my tourist visa, getting the appropriate vaccines to work with rural populations in a healthcare setting (Japanese encephalitis, typhoid fever, and cholera to name a few),…
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…
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…
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…
