Sunday, December 11th: Saying Goodbye & Abroad Recap
This is likely my last blog post regarding my abroad adventures in India. This past weekend, I travelled to Mumbai for the Zomato Feeding Concert, which included artists like Post Malone (!) and KING. We weren't in Bombay for *super* long, so that was mainly all we did, but we snuck some shopping in alongside some yummy meals. Despite being tiring, it was a very fun last weekend in India. Now, I am back in Pune, studying away for my three final exams this week.
In one week from today, I will be back in the US (crazy, right?!). I feel like I arrived in India last week -- and it doesn't quite feel like I will be gone next week. Despite how fast time flew by, I look by on my India trip with great fulfillment. My goals coming here were to: (1) reconnect with (and learn more about) the "Indian" side of my Indian-American identity, (2) practice my Hindi, (3) challenge myself to become more independent, and (4) have a good time. I would say I safely accomplished all of these goals, although it wasn't always smooth sailing. There were times when I felt really lonely, frustrated, and sad, whether it was because of the lack of exchange students at FLAME, difficulties with friends and family back home, traveler's diarrhea/stomach flu/other sicknesses, or just culture shock in general. Despite this, I was able to persevere and use these challenges to learn more about myself and how to adapt to new situations.
I am especially grateful to the Gilman Scholarship program which provided me with the financial support to make India possible. It is no surprise that plane tickets and visa costs can easily amount to a large sum of money. Because of Gilman, I was able to put these financial worries to the side and focus on exploring India knowing that I had their support (both emotional and logistically). Wellesley's study abroad office is also incredibly helpful as were the adults at FLAME. Overall, I am so grateful to have many institutions supporting the success of my India experience.
I am overall incredibly proud of myself for having a great time in India, especially because I had a lot of difficulty when I studied abroad in Bath, England for seven weeks my first year. But, I took my England experience and grew from it in hopes that India could be more positive. Regardless, both of my study abroad experiences taught me so much about myself and allowed me to experience other parts of the world (and India) that would be difficult to see otherwise.
Because of India specifically, I feel more connected to my Hindu religion, more knowledgeable about the world, and more confident in my ability to overcome challenges independently. Most importantly, I feel an unbeatable sense of pride. Despite my difficulties in England, I still got on a plane to move 7,500 miles away from everyone I know (a 10.5 hour time difference) and went to an institution knowing no one. That takes bravery, if I may say so myself. I now know that in the future, I can confidently return to India and know what to expect (i.e. how to call a taxi, how to communicate effectively, and other cultural customs). To me, this study abroad trip was the beginning of my relationship with India -- I am so excited to come back in the future and continue expanding on what I learned back in the US.
I am especially grateful to the Gilman Scholarship program which provided me with the financial support to make India possible. It is no surprise that plane tickets and visa costs can easily amount to a large sum of money. Because of Gilman, I was able to put these financial worries to the side and focus on exploring India knowing that I had their support (both emotional and logistically). Wellesley's study abroad office is also incredibly helpful as were the adults at FLAME. Overall, I am so grateful to have many institutions supporting the success of my India experience.
I am overall incredibly proud of myself for having a great time in India, especially because I had a lot of difficulty when I studied abroad in Bath, England for seven weeks my first year. But, I took my England experience and grew from it in hopes that India could be more positive. Regardless, both of my study abroad experiences taught me so much about myself and allowed me to experience other parts of the world (and India) that would be difficult to see otherwise.
Because of India specifically, I feel more connected to my Hindu religion, more knowledgeable about the world, and more confident in my ability to overcome challenges independently. Most importantly, I feel an unbeatable sense of pride. Despite my difficulties in England, I still got on a plane to move 7,500 miles away from everyone I know (a 10.5 hour time difference) and went to an institution knowing no one. That takes bravery, if I may say so myself. I now know that in the future, I can confidently return to India and know what to expect (i.e. how to call a taxi, how to communicate effectively, and other cultural customs). To me, this study abroad trip was the beginning of my relationship with India -- I am so excited to come back in the future and continue expanding on what I learned back in the US.
Wednesday, December 7th: Falling Back in Love with Pune
It is really hard to believe that in 10 days from now, I will be heading to the Mumbai airport to go back home. As you can tell from this blog, I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to see lots of India with my family and friends, but this week I wanted to really embrace Pune and all that this city has to offer. Admittedly, I feel I may have overlooked it at times during the semester, but, no one can do it all, especially during a short span of four months.
I went to a cute cafe in Koregaon Park, colloquially known as KP, earlier this week while reading a book. After enjoying my gourmet coffee and omelette, I walked around the upscale neighborhood for over an hour. While I have been to restaurants and cafés in KP before, I have never just walked around the area. I was able to find so many hidden stores and beautiful areas. Another day, I also took some time to go the old city near tulsi baug, a shopping area with *so* many stands and people. There is also the famous Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in this area (AKA the mandir in which many Hindus come to visit during the famous holiday of Ganpati). This mandir honors Ganesh-ji, known to be the remover of obstacles. Across from this mandir is Bhide Wada, the first girl's school in India established in 1848; as a Wellesley student, I found the fact that this school is in Pune to be very cool. However, the school is unfortunately not in a great state due to tenancy/political debates.
I went to a cute cafe in Koregaon Park, colloquially known as KP, earlier this week while reading a book. After enjoying my gourmet coffee and omelette, I walked around the upscale neighborhood for over an hour. While I have been to restaurants and cafés in KP before, I have never just walked around the area. I was able to find so many hidden stores and beautiful areas. Another day, I also took some time to go the old city near tulsi baug, a shopping area with *so* many stands and people. There is also the famous Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir in this area (AKA the mandir in which many Hindus come to visit during the famous holiday of Ganpati). This mandir honors Ganesh-ji, known to be the remover of obstacles. Across from this mandir is Bhide Wada, the first girl's school in India established in 1848; as a Wellesley student, I found the fact that this school is in Pune to be very cool. However, the school is unfortunately not in a great state due to tenancy/political debates.
Overall, I have been doing very well lately. I am grateful to have dedicated time to leaving campus and exploring Pune. I revisited my favorite places and found some new gems as well. This weekend, I am off to Mumbai with Clara in order to go to the Zomato feeding concert with a performance from Post Malone. I must admit I am so excited to go home and see my parents, family, and friends, but it will be bittersweet leaving India for sure.
Monday, November 28th: Dwarka, Ellora Caves, and a Bit of Mundanity
I have not posted a blog post in what feels like forever -- largely because I felt like my life at study abroad became quickly uninteresting after all my exciting travels finished. But, I know that is not true, and I am excited to share some of my recent travels AND some of the less exciting parts of FLAME life with you in this post.
About two weekends ago, I traveled to Dwarka, Gujarat to meet my dad. Dwarka is a pilgrimage site with the famous Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the Char Dham. This temple is dedicated to Krishna and was constructed around the 15-16th century (after being destroyed in 1472). We also traveled to Somnath, a famous mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva. I really enjoyed visiting these sites of religious importance with my dad, and, like I said in my previous post, it has really helped rekindle my love for my culture and religion that sometimes gets lost in America. Oh, and I must mention that I had an amazing experience of feeding the cutest cows and camels in Gujarat. I love interacting with and seeing all the animals here, and feeding them is SO heartwarming!! Definitely one of my favorite experiences here.
After Gujarat, life became somewhat mundane as I returned to my typical campus life: studying, going to the gym, and attending classes. After all, I guess the "study" part of study abroad does exist. But, I actually got to do some interesting assignments; for example, in my Indian Economy class, I did a poster presentation on the economics of education (specifically government spending and enrollment). This topic was of interest to me and taught me a lot about the education system in India and why so many individuals opt to go to private school if they have the means to do so. I also had an interesting linear algebra coding assignment simulating how an ATM encryption process works using transformation matrices. While I was sad to no longer be adventuring India with my dad, it was nice to return to a structured schedule on-campus and enjoy all that FLAME has to offer.
About two weekends ago, I traveled to Dwarka, Gujarat to meet my dad. Dwarka is a pilgrimage site with the famous Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the Char Dham. This temple is dedicated to Krishna and was constructed around the 15-16th century (after being destroyed in 1472). We also traveled to Somnath, a famous mandir dedicated to Lord Shiva. I really enjoyed visiting these sites of religious importance with my dad, and, like I said in my previous post, it has really helped rekindle my love for my culture and religion that sometimes gets lost in America. Oh, and I must mention that I had an amazing experience of feeding the cutest cows and camels in Gujarat. I love interacting with and seeing all the animals here, and feeding them is SO heartwarming!! Definitely one of my favorite experiences here.
After Gujarat, life became somewhat mundane as I returned to my typical campus life: studying, going to the gym, and attending classes. After all, I guess the "study" part of study abroad does exist. But, I actually got to do some interesting assignments; for example, in my Indian Economy class, I did a poster presentation on the economics of education (specifically government spending and enrollment). This topic was of interest to me and taught me a lot about the education system in India and why so many individuals opt to go to private school if they have the means to do so. I also had an interesting linear algebra coding assignment simulating how an ATM encryption process works using transformation matrices. While I was sad to no longer be adventuring India with my dad, it was nice to return to a structured schedule on-campus and enjoy all that FLAME has to offer.
This past weekend, I decided to visit Aurangabad, a city in the same state as Pune (Maharashtra), and close by to the famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves. While I did not have time to see the Ajanta caves during my weekend trip, I went to the Ellora caves, which were mind-blowing and amazing. They are a collection of about 34 caves built during the 5th to 7th century; about 13 caves are Buddhist, 14 are Hindu, and 5 are Jain. It was really humbling to see how such beautiful monuments were created in a time where there was such little technology and tools compared to now, and it gave me a deep appreciation for those who have come before me. The caves were beautiful and incredibly intricate, and I am so grateful I was able to see them.
In Aurangabad, I was also able to explore other attractions like the (1) Grishneswar Jyotirlinga Temple, another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, (2) Bibi Ka Maqbara (Mini Taj Mahal), and (3) process of himroo handlooming. Himroo is a fabric of both silk and cotton grown locally in Aurangabad. I was able to see how talented workers are able to hand-make and hand-design beautiful shawls, sarees, and other clothing items. It was very cool to be able to see how authentic and handmade fabrics are made and designed.
In Aurangabad, I was also able to explore other attractions like the (1) Grishneswar Jyotirlinga Temple, another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, (2) Bibi Ka Maqbara (Mini Taj Mahal), and (3) process of himroo handlooming. Himroo is a fabric of both silk and cotton grown locally in Aurangabad. I was able to see how talented workers are able to hand-make and hand-design beautiful shawls, sarees, and other clothing items. It was very cool to be able to see how authentic and handmade fabrics are made and designed.
Overall, the past few weeks have been good and have flown by! I leave India in about three weeks, but, excitingly enough, I am planning to return over spring break with my sister. To be honest, I am sad to leave, but I am more grateful for this experience because I know that it is the beginning of many visits to India. I feel confident to return on my own for trips with family and friends and to be able to continue seeing more parts of India. In the next weeks, I hope to spend my time and energy exploring Pune, as I feel like my outside travels have somewhat stopped me from really appreciating the culturally rich city of India which is so close to me. Updates to come!
Sunday, November 6th: Delhi, Vaishno Devi, Taj Mahal, and Badrinath?!
As you can tell by the title of this post, I have been visiting LOTS of places in Northern India these past two weeks. My dad, who is born and raised in Punjab, came to visit me for about 10 days. Since we have never really gotten to explore India together, this was a really precious trip for me. We met in New Delhi and immediately departed for Katra, a city in Kashmir which is home to Vaishno Devi, a holy Hindu temple situated in the Trikuta mountains. The temple itself requires a journey (yatra) to reach, totaling about 14-15km one way (about 8.5-9 miles). There are pony rides, battery car rides, and other options to reach the holy mandir; however, my dad and I opted to go by foot. While it was not incredibly difficult, it did get tiring and there were some steep ascents. Although it is labeled as a trek, it is not the full nature trek that you may be imagining; instead, it was a paved roads with many souvenir stands along the way and crowds of people. Overall, I found it to be a very fulfilling journey and the scenery was very beautiful.
After visiting Vaishno Devi, my dad and I headed back to New Delhi for a few days, where we explored a LOT of temples and religious sites in the city. It was super amazing to see the different temples, many of which had very large idols of the deities, which I had never seen before. I felt very connected to my religion during these trips, especially because I never really had a large Indian/Hindu community growing up outside of my family, leading me to put religion on the backburner while I grew up. I really enjoyed rekindling my love for Hinduism with my dad, and I also learned a lot from him through our conversations at the temples. I even started collecting idols to make my own mini-temple back at Wellesley, which I am so excited about!
After visiting Vaishno Devi, my dad and I headed back to New Delhi for a few days, where we explored a LOT of temples and religious sites in the city. It was super amazing to see the different temples, many of which had very large idols of the deities, which I had never seen before. I felt very connected to my religion during these trips, especially because I never really had a large Indian/Hindu community growing up outside of my family, leading me to put religion on the backburner while I grew up. I really enjoyed rekindling my love for Hinduism with my dad, and I also learned a lot from him through our conversations at the temples. I even started collecting idols to make my own mini-temple back at Wellesley, which I am so excited about!
Following New Delhi, we went to Agra (2 hours from Delhi) to see the beloved Taj Mahal. It has been a dream of mine to see the Taj since I was a kid, and I can say that when I walked through the entryway and caught my first glimpse, it really was breathtaking. The Taj Mahal was made by emperor Shah Jahan during the Mughal period for his late wife. I just really loved the architecture and beauty of the building, so it was great to be able to see it in real time!
Following Agra, my dad and I hopped in a 17 hour car ride to Badrinath, a town in the state of Uttarakhand. This town is home to Badrinath Temple, one of the Char Dham (four abodes) important to Hindu culture. The town is in a section of the Himalayan mountains, leading to beautiful views for most of the car ride. It is also home to the Alakananda River, which is honestly the bluest water I have ever seen.
Overall, this 10 day trip with my dad was jam-packed and fairly tiring, but it was so nice to see someone from home, especially my dad. I am so happy to have spent some quality time with him while learning more about our culture from his perspective. Now that I am back in Pune, I am ready to get back to school, register for Wellesley courses, and so much more.
Following Agra, my dad and I hopped in a 17 hour car ride to Badrinath, a town in the state of Uttarakhand. This town is home to Badrinath Temple, one of the Char Dham (four abodes) important to Hindu culture. The town is in a section of the Himalayan mountains, leading to beautiful views for most of the car ride. It is also home to the Alakananda River, which is honestly the bluest water I have ever seen.
Overall, this 10 day trip with my dad was jam-packed and fairly tiring, but it was so nice to see someone from home, especially my dad. I am so happy to have spent some quality time with him while learning more about our culture from his perspective. Now that I am back in Pune, I am ready to get back to school, register for Wellesley courses, and so much more.
Wednesday, October 26th: Good Times in Goa
This past weekend, I had a lovely vacation in the state of Goa. A short plane ride from Pune, I was surrounded by a beautiful coastline by the Arabian Sea. There is also rich history in the state of Goa with the Portuguese colonization -- there are many churches and spice plantations that embody this. My favorite part of Goa was by far all of the delicious food and water sports; I went scuba diving, jetskiing, and surfing. I was hoping to see the notable Dudhsagar Falls, and even hired a taxi for the three hour drive, only to find out that the falls were closed for a few days due to high water levels. On the bright side, our driver took us to a nearby village with a beautiful river that we were able to take a swim in.
Overall, Goa was exactly what you would picture a beach vacation to be -- and I think I was in need of one! Now, I am about to head to the airport (again!) to meet my dad in New Delhi. We are traveling up to Kashmir to see the Vaishno Devi temple and embark on other adventures.
Sunday, October 16th: Ups and Downs
As the semester reaches its halfway point, I have been feeling slightly homesick and lonely recently. Although I have many friendly faces on campus, I find that I don't feel like I have a ton of super close friends like I do at Wellesley. I think this is fairly natural considering it takes time to develop those relationships, and I haven't been in India *that* long. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that I am spending more time alone that I am used to. While this can be (very) difficult at times, I think it is a good practice to learn how to enjoy spending time with myself, even if it can be difficult for my extroverted nature.
Sometimes I wish there were more exchange students besides me and Clara, but I know if that were the case I wouldn't spend as much time with the native Indian students, whom I adore and learn so much from! I have realized that being an exchange student is pretty much if I were to enter Wellesley as a junior where all of the "friend groups" are fairly solidified. It can feel hard to find my footing and feel a community, but I think that this is true for anyone who moves over 7,000 miles away from their home.
I have also been making an active effort not to compare my study abroad experience to that of others. It's hard knowing that other people have their family and friends visiting them in their abroad country, or knowing that my other friends from Wellesley are together on their exchange program. Each study abroad experience is unique, so I am directing my energy towards focusing on my own time in India. While this past week may have been mundane and a little lonely, next week is Diwali break, during which I will be traveling to Goa. So there is lots to look forward to!
Sometimes I wish there were more exchange students besides me and Clara, but I know if that were the case I wouldn't spend as much time with the native Indian students, whom I adore and learn so much from! I have realized that being an exchange student is pretty much if I were to enter Wellesley as a junior where all of the "friend groups" are fairly solidified. It can feel hard to find my footing and feel a community, but I think that this is true for anyone who moves over 7,000 miles away from their home.
I have also been making an active effort not to compare my study abroad experience to that of others. It's hard knowing that other people have their family and friends visiting them in their abroad country, or knowing that my other friends from Wellesley are together on their exchange program. Each study abroad experience is unique, so I am directing my energy towards focusing on my own time in India. While this past week may have been mundane and a little lonely, next week is Diwali break, during which I will be traveling to Goa. So there is lots to look forward to!
Monday, October 10th: Weekend in Mumbai
This past weekend, I took another weekend trip to Bombay (much closer to Pune than Jaipur). It was about a 3 hour train ride to the famous CSTM railway station, previously known as Victoria Terminus. We stayed near Marine Drive in South Bombay in the neighborhood of Colaba. Despite the torrential downpours that unfortunately occurred on Friday, we were able to visit the Colaba Causeway Market, a famous street shopping market that seems like it goes on forever. We also saw the Gateway of India, a historical monument signifying the end of the British Raj in India. Across from the Gateway is the Taj Mahal Palace, a beautiful and luxurious hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. We also enjoyed a delicious meal at the famous Cafe Mondegar which had a very nice ambiance and energy.
Other highlights of the trip include various museums, my favorite being Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which records prehistoric India to modern times. The building itself is beautifully made with an Indo-Saracenic architecture style. Inside, I really enjoyed the Krishna art gallery and the showcase of textiles. There was also a temporary exhibition titled "Woman Is As Woman Does," which maps over two dozen women artists who speak against India's postcolonial social issues.
Other highlights of the trip include various museums, my favorite being Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which records prehistoric India to modern times. The building itself is beautifully made with an Indo-Saracenic architecture style. Inside, I really enjoyed the Krishna art gallery and the showcase of textiles. There was also a temporary exhibition titled "Woman Is As Woman Does," which maps over two dozen women artists who speak against India's postcolonial social issues.
I am glad to have been able to experience the cultural richness of Mumbai, and I hope I can visit again sometime this semester. Admittedly, I am quite tired between my Jaipur and Bombay excursions, so I am excited to rest and recharge this week. I am about to hit the halfway point of my study abroad, which is difficult to believe.
Monday, October 3rd: Jyontika in Jaipur
This past weekend was a blast. As I write this, I am in the Jaipur airport waiting to board my plane back to Pune. My roommate and I spent about 3.5 days in the “pink city,” otherwise known as the capital of Rajasthan.
On the first day, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. A subtle yet stunning pink hue of the buildings had me in awe. We visited the famous Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Hanuman Ji Temple (where we met monkeys), and a local authentic textile shop. It was very refreshing to see a different part of India because the novelty of Pune has naturally worn off after six weeks here. Feeding monkeys, seeing palaces, and learning about Rajasthani history allowed me to remind myself about the privilege I have to study in such a beautiful country.
On the first day, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city. A subtle yet stunning pink hue of the buildings had me in awe. We visited the famous Hawa Mahal, Albert Hall Museum, Hanuman Ji Temple (where we met monkeys), and a local authentic textile shop. It was very refreshing to see a different part of India because the novelty of Pune has naturally worn off after six weeks here. Feeding monkeys, seeing palaces, and learning about Rajasthani history allowed me to remind myself about the privilege I have to study in such a beautiful country.
Following day one, I was able to meet elephants for the first time in my life. I hand-fed them, and not surprisingly, they eat A LOT. I was also able to pour water into their trunks, bathe them, and pet them. Considering elephants are a symbol of strength, wisdom, and power in Hindu religion and my family, it was amazing to meet them in person. In addition to this, I attended a Dandiya dance event in honor of the ongoing holiday of Navratri (a Hindu festival for Goddess Durga). It was very fulfilling to see so many people actively celebrating a festival that is not widely known about in the United States. Experiences like this make me feel so grateful to study abroad in a country where I can more frequently share my culture (specifically language and religion) with others.
I also want to mention that Clara and I came to Jaipur through a Spanish volunteering organization that Clara has worked for. Because of this, we had the opportunity to visit a small school for lower income children and work with them for a few hours. I was grateful to be able to meet these kids, if even for a small amount of time, and smile with them. I hope to get involved with volunteer work like this later in my life, specifically in India.
I also want to mention that Clara and I came to Jaipur through a Spanish volunteering organization that Clara has worked for. Because of this, we had the opportunity to visit a small school for lower income children and work with them for a few hours. I was grateful to be able to meet these kids, if even for a small amount of time, and smile with them. I hope to get involved with volunteer work like this later in my life, specifically in India.
Overall, Jaipur was the highlight of this past week, although there were other notable events like a garba dance at FLAME. I am grateful to be able to travel around India and see the regional differences between various states. I am excited to continue appreciating Pune while traveling to Mumbai, Goa, and other locations in the future.
Sunday, September 25th: Trekking Club, Parvati Hill, Fashion Exhibition, and Many Smiles
I can say with full-fledged confidence that this past week has been one of the easiest weeks for me here. Despite my recurring stomach issues (seriously, send prayers), I have been feeling incredibly happy and fulfilled here. On Sunday, I went with the FLAME trekking club to Koraigad Fort (pictures below). It is a historical fort located about 2.5 hours away from FLAME in the scenic town of Lonavala. The trek itself was fairly easy and straightforward, but the weather conditions (rain!) made it very slippery, which was to be expected considering many treks in Maharashtra are actually "monsoon treks."
Aside from the beautiful views, the most memorable part of the experience was the sense of community I felt, whether it was through mutual exhaustion of waking up at 5:30AM or having fun listening to Bollywood music. Speaking of which, I am proud to announce that multiple people on my bus were impressed with my Bollywood playlist, asking me to be on aux. Pretty impressive for an American, if I may say so myself.
Aside from the beautiful views, the most memorable part of the experience was the sense of community I felt, whether it was through mutual exhaustion of waking up at 5:30AM or having fun listening to Bollywood music. Speaking of which, I am proud to announce that multiple people on my bus were impressed with my Bollywood playlist, asking me to be on aux. Pretty impressive for an American, if I may say so myself.
Aside from the trek, I also had some fun outings this week. I went to Parvati Hill, which is about an hour away from campus. It was built during the Peshwa dynasty and has a museum and temple atop a hill. There was also a stunning view of Pune, so I took obligatory pictures featured below. Right by the hill was a very unique gift shop with handmade items (i.e. handbags, journals, artworks, and tribal-inspired pieces). Needless to say, I invested in some cute souvenirs for myself and my family!
Later in the week, I went to the Hi-Life Exhibition which is a company that brought a variety of clothing and jewelry designers from all over India to The Westin Hotel in Pune. There were an endless amount of stands representing designers/companies from New Delhi, Hyderbad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and so many more locations. I was able to see so many gorgeous Indian clothes, and even invested in a few for myself (whoops!).
Later in the week, I went to the Hi-Life Exhibition which is a company that brought a variety of clothing and jewelry designers from all over India to The Westin Hotel in Pune. There were an endless amount of stands representing designers/companies from New Delhi, Hyderbad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and so many more locations. I was able to see so many gorgeous Indian clothes, and even invested in a few for myself (whoops!).
Overall, I have been filled with a sense of pride this past week. If you told me one year ago (or even two months ago?!) that I would be in India, feeling a newfound sense of independence and self-confidence, I may not have believed you. Aside from feeling sincere happiness here, I feel like I am able to authentically reconnect with the "Indian" half of my identity by binge-watching Bollywood movies, expanding my knowledge of authentic Indian food, speaking Hindi to those around me, and spending way too much money on kurtis.
Aside from this, I feel like I am more comfortable doing things by myself. At first, I was jealous of all of my friends going on their abroad trips with other Wellesley and/or American students, but I am now fairly grateful that I am the only American here. Whether they are from Spain, Germany, or India, I have learned how to overcome cultural misunderstandings... and, yes, there have been a few! Instead of automatically judging mindsets that are different from the typical American point of view, I have learned to appreciate our differences. Plus, the native Indian students obviously know the *best* places for food! Needless to say, my time abroad has been difficult (homesickness, the WORST diarrhea, friendship issues back home, etc) but it has been very rewarding and eye-opening. I have grown a lot as an individual, and I am excited to continue this adventure, especially next week when I get on a flight to Jaipur.
Aside from this, I feel like I am more comfortable doing things by myself. At first, I was jealous of all of my friends going on their abroad trips with other Wellesley and/or American students, but I am now fairly grateful that I am the only American here. Whether they are from Spain, Germany, or India, I have learned how to overcome cultural misunderstandings... and, yes, there have been a few! Instead of automatically judging mindsets that are different from the typical American point of view, I have learned to appreciate our differences. Plus, the native Indian students obviously know the *best* places for food! Needless to say, my time abroad has been difficult (homesickness, the WORST diarrhea, friendship issues back home, etc) but it has been very rewarding and eye-opening. I have grown a lot as an individual, and I am excited to continue this adventure, especially next week when I get on a flight to Jaipur.
Friday, September 16th: One Month Down, Three To Go!
As I sit down to write this blog post, I am simultaneously exhausted and content. Although my morning plans to go on a light trek to a nearby attraction were butchered by the rain, I was still able to go to FC Road with my roommate, Clara. We ate delicious chicken momos (Indian dumplings) and went street shopping. I was able to buy a beautiful pink kurta and a golden skirt, which I am very excited to wear.
Something about today made me feel very grateful to have the opportunity to be in India. Maybe it’s the fact I am able to cross the crowded, seemingly unorganized streets without fear now. Maybe it’s pride in learning how to bargain with street sellers. Perhaps it’s the confidence I feel after speaking Hindi to native speakers. All in all, I think I am just proud of myself for having lived in India for a month now, battling homesickness and physical sickness, among other struggles. I have been dreaming of visiting India for quite some time, so I try to absorb the fact that I am finally here! Something about moving across the world by yourself makes me feel a newfound sense of confidence and independence (while still acknowledging the fact that I can’t go a day without hearing my mom’s voice - and that’s okay).
Earlier this week, Clara and I went to Chor Bazaar, one of Pune’s oldest markets which has a variety of vendors selling second-hand and antique items. While we envisioned a Brooklyn flea market aesthetic, the Chor Bazaar was quite different, selling more practical items like screwdrivers, cutlery, and locks. We were a tad disappointed at the available items, especially after traveling an hour to see the market. Nevertheless, I am glad we were able to experience it, and I bought a nice brass elephant for my sister anyways! I also went to see the new Bollywood movie, Brahmastra, in theaters this week (with no English subtitles — and I still understood it!). It felt quite novel to see a Bollywood move in India for the first time, and it was so nice to see Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen again.
Something about today made me feel very grateful to have the opportunity to be in India. Maybe it’s the fact I am able to cross the crowded, seemingly unorganized streets without fear now. Maybe it’s pride in learning how to bargain with street sellers. Perhaps it’s the confidence I feel after speaking Hindi to native speakers. All in all, I think I am just proud of myself for having lived in India for a month now, battling homesickness and physical sickness, among other struggles. I have been dreaming of visiting India for quite some time, so I try to absorb the fact that I am finally here! Something about moving across the world by yourself makes me feel a newfound sense of confidence and independence (while still acknowledging the fact that I can’t go a day without hearing my mom’s voice - and that’s okay).
Earlier this week, Clara and I went to Chor Bazaar, one of Pune’s oldest markets which has a variety of vendors selling second-hand and antique items. While we envisioned a Brooklyn flea market aesthetic, the Chor Bazaar was quite different, selling more practical items like screwdrivers, cutlery, and locks. We were a tad disappointed at the available items, especially after traveling an hour to see the market. Nevertheless, I am glad we were able to experience it, and I bought a nice brass elephant for my sister anyways! I also went to see the new Bollywood movie, Brahmastra, in theaters this week (with no English subtitles — and I still understood it!). It felt quite novel to see a Bollywood move in India for the first time, and it was so nice to see Shah Rukh Khan on the big screen again.
Other events from the past few weeks have been visiting Shaniwar Wada, a historical fort in Pune which was an important political palace in the 18th century. I also saw beautiful nighttime views of the city during a rooftop dinner. And, maybe the most notable event, I stepped in cow poop while wearing my brand new Birkenstocks. I will spare you the pictures, but I did have a wonderful time taking selfies with the cows, so it's okay.
While the past two weeks have been filled with good food, shopping, and other excursions, I have been battling a viral cold making its way around campus (hence why I didn't write last week!). It is quite common to get sick in India around this time due to the changing temperatures of Monsoon season. Speaking of which, I am counting down the days for the rainy weather to come to an end. Last week, campus was flooded due to the torrential rain (no, I am not exaggerating… a car was literally submerged underwater). It’s been hard to feel good mentally when my physical health hasn’t been great, but I can sense myself bouncing back, which is relieving. I am excited for the upcoming week of classes and adventures. This weekend should be exciting as I signed up for the FLAME trekking club’s first trek of the year - stay tuned!
While the past two weeks have been filled with good food, shopping, and other excursions, I have been battling a viral cold making its way around campus (hence why I didn't write last week!). It is quite common to get sick in India around this time due to the changing temperatures of Monsoon season. Speaking of which, I am counting down the days for the rainy weather to come to an end. Last week, campus was flooded due to the torrential rain (no, I am not exaggerating… a car was literally submerged underwater). It’s been hard to feel good mentally when my physical health hasn’t been great, but I can sense myself bouncing back, which is relieving. I am excited for the upcoming week of classes and adventures. This weekend should be exciting as I signed up for the FLAME trekking club’s first trek of the year - stay tuned!
Sunday, September 4th: Ganesh Chaturthi, Yummy Food, and Gorgeous Sunsets!
The past week has gone by quite quickly for me as my days have been filled with exploring the city of Pune, studying at the library, and sheltering from the torrential downpours that come with monsoon season.
The highlight of my week was definitely going to observe the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a multiple-day Hindu festival which celebrates Ganesh Bhagwanji's birth. Many people associate Ganesha with his elephant head, but are not aware of his important role as the remover of obstacles. When I went into the city of Pune on Wednesday, I was able to witness a large community coming together to observe this special holiday, which is especially important in the state of Maharashtra (where Pune is located). I was able to see a parade with dhol-tasha players. Dhols refer to a variety of double-headed drums used across India. Dhol-tasha players are often featured in Ganesh festivals like this one, so it was amazing to hear the beauty of these instruments in person. Although the festival was overwhelming at times due to the large crowds, it was amazing to witness such a profound community coming together for Ganpati. I find that my immersion in this community inspires me to be more introspective and grateful than I would be otherwise; for example, in the US, I am usually not so eager to participate in religious festivals, but I now feel a newfound sense of appreciation for the Hindu community, both in India and in the US. I am excited to continue reconnecting with my religion during my time here.
The highlight of my week was definitely going to observe the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, a multiple-day Hindu festival which celebrates Ganesh Bhagwanji's birth. Many people associate Ganesha with his elephant head, but are not aware of his important role as the remover of obstacles. When I went into the city of Pune on Wednesday, I was able to witness a large community coming together to observe this special holiday, which is especially important in the state of Maharashtra (where Pune is located). I was able to see a parade with dhol-tasha players. Dhols refer to a variety of double-headed drums used across India. Dhol-tasha players are often featured in Ganesh festivals like this one, so it was amazing to hear the beauty of these instruments in person. Although the festival was overwhelming at times due to the large crowds, it was amazing to witness such a profound community coming together for Ganpati. I find that my immersion in this community inspires me to be more introspective and grateful than I would be otherwise; for example, in the US, I am usually not so eager to participate in religious festivals, but I now feel a newfound sense of appreciation for the Hindu community, both in India and in the US. I am excited to continue reconnecting with my religion during my time here.
I have also found myself becoming more and more settled in as it has officially been over two weeks since my plane landed in Mumbai. Last week, I spoke about my experiences with culture shock. Although I still feel intense pangs of homesickness when I see pictures of my bunny, FaceTime my family, and realize that Wellesley will be starting its semester soon, I also find myself smiling when I see the gorgeous sunset over the mountains, eat a large scoop of fennel seeds in the mess hall, and scarf down a delicious gobi paratha (or as my Punjabi family refers to it, paronthi) for breakfast. I find myself feeling more and more at home here, and that in itself is incredibly rewarding to me.
Monday, August 29th: Culture Shock, Culture Shock, & More Culture Shock
If you look through my search history from earlier this morning, you would see searches like: "How many days until December 20th?,"
"Should I leave study abroad early?," and "Why does my stomach hurt so badly in India?!"
Over the past week and a half, I have had a fair share of momentary doubts about my decision to come to India. For one, my stomach has been incredibly furious with me while I switch to a new eggless, meatless diet, which has caused a loss of appetite and, to put it bluntly, traveler's diarrhea. I also find myself requiring more sleep than usual to feel well-rested, for whatever reason. Aside from the physical side effects, I really miss the luxury of living in a familiar place with familiar people. It feels like I am a lost, confused first-year in college again (with an added layer of cultural differences), which is not a feeling I missed at all.
In order to combat the difficulties of uprooting my life for a few months, I force myself to highlight the unique beauties of India. In America, I am not able to practice my Hindi with the kind security guards who greet me as I enter my dorm, nor am I able to obtain chai, fennel seeds, and authentic Indian food at the tip of my fingers. In America, I am not as easily able to take classes from a different global perspective or practice reading Hindi through street signs and store fronts. I also am not able to buy beautiful jewelry and traditional Indian clothing for less than $15 USD. So, yes, living in India has hit me with some culture shock and adjustment, but there are also amazing aspects of this country that I will miss once I leave (in what feels like forever from now).
This past week has allowed me to settle in a bit more as classes have started; I have gotten into my routine of studying, attending class, working out, and spending time with friends. I also had my first weekend outing, which consisted of dinners with friends and city exploration, which was very fun. I was able to meet a lot of new students my age who were incredibly warm and welcoming to me and Clara, my roommate.
I find that when I keep myself busy with my friends and classes, I am not as likely to get stuck in the cycle of homesickness and doubt. I am also making an active effort to nourish my body with food, water, and exercise (mind-body connection). I hope that this next week I am able to spend more time highlighting what I love about India and continue adjusting to my new temporary home. Regardless, I am proud of myself for navigating this change as well as I can and trying to enjoy all of the amazing aspects of life that India has to offer.
"Should I leave study abroad early?," and "Why does my stomach hurt so badly in India?!"
Over the past week and a half, I have had a fair share of momentary doubts about my decision to come to India. For one, my stomach has been incredibly furious with me while I switch to a new eggless, meatless diet, which has caused a loss of appetite and, to put it bluntly, traveler's diarrhea. I also find myself requiring more sleep than usual to feel well-rested, for whatever reason. Aside from the physical side effects, I really miss the luxury of living in a familiar place with familiar people. It feels like I am a lost, confused first-year in college again (with an added layer of cultural differences), which is not a feeling I missed at all.
In order to combat the difficulties of uprooting my life for a few months, I force myself to highlight the unique beauties of India. In America, I am not able to practice my Hindi with the kind security guards who greet me as I enter my dorm, nor am I able to obtain chai, fennel seeds, and authentic Indian food at the tip of my fingers. In America, I am not as easily able to take classes from a different global perspective or practice reading Hindi through street signs and store fronts. I also am not able to buy beautiful jewelry and traditional Indian clothing for less than $15 USD. So, yes, living in India has hit me with some culture shock and adjustment, but there are also amazing aspects of this country that I will miss once I leave (in what feels like forever from now).
This past week has allowed me to settle in a bit more as classes have started; I have gotten into my routine of studying, attending class, working out, and spending time with friends. I also had my first weekend outing, which consisted of dinners with friends and city exploration, which was very fun. I was able to meet a lot of new students my age who were incredibly warm and welcoming to me and Clara, my roommate.
I find that when I keep myself busy with my friends and classes, I am not as likely to get stuck in the cycle of homesickness and doubt. I am also making an active effort to nourish my body with food, water, and exercise (mind-body connection). I hope that this next week I am able to spend more time highlighting what I love about India and continue adjusting to my new temporary home. Regardless, I am proud of myself for navigating this change as well as I can and trying to enjoy all of the amazing aspects of life that India has to offer.
Wednesday, August 24th: The Unforgettable Hyphen
"Are you a patriot?"
"What are the parties in America like?!"
"Why did you choose to come to India?"
These questions, among others, have been stuck in my brain since my arrival in Pune just under a week ago. I have noticed that despite the fact that America tends to overemphasize the "Indian" in "Indian-American," the opposite is true here. Now, the "American" part of my identity acts as a source of fascination while my Indian identity faces minimization. To some extent, I feel like I am a treated as a representative of America and as though my viewpoints on Indian-American culture and on the historically women's college experience represent all Americans, despite my efforts to claim that these opinions are not generalizable to anybody beside myself.
Although I have only been in India for a week, I can say I have never felt less Indian than I do now, for no reason other than the fact that I am clearly an outlier here. People are shocked to discover I can understand or read Hindi, and one student even described me as white (with no malicious intent). It feels as though I will not be able to prove to students here (or myself) that I am Indian "enough" because, at the end of the day, I have spent the entirety of my life in America. Because of this, I feel as though it is difficult to reconnect with my Indian culture when it feels like this culture does not even claim me as one of their own. On the other side, however, I feel like I have been forced to consider what my American culture means to me and appreciate the significance of the latter half of the hyphen.
I am confident that my relationship with my identity will continue changing throughout my time in Pune. This blog post is merely the tip of the iceberg, but for now I will sign off by saying I am grateful to have access to American and Indian culture alike. Instead of pitting these two identities against each other, I choose to appreciate the blending of the two.
"What are the parties in America like?!"
"Why did you choose to come to India?"
These questions, among others, have been stuck in my brain since my arrival in Pune just under a week ago. I have noticed that despite the fact that America tends to overemphasize the "Indian" in "Indian-American," the opposite is true here. Now, the "American" part of my identity acts as a source of fascination while my Indian identity faces minimization. To some extent, I feel like I am a treated as a representative of America and as though my viewpoints on Indian-American culture and on the historically women's college experience represent all Americans, despite my efforts to claim that these opinions are not generalizable to anybody beside myself.
Although I have only been in India for a week, I can say I have never felt less Indian than I do now, for no reason other than the fact that I am clearly an outlier here. People are shocked to discover I can understand or read Hindi, and one student even described me as white (with no malicious intent). It feels as though I will not be able to prove to students here (or myself) that I am Indian "enough" because, at the end of the day, I have spent the entirety of my life in America. Because of this, I feel as though it is difficult to reconnect with my Indian culture when it feels like this culture does not even claim me as one of their own. On the other side, however, I feel like I have been forced to consider what my American culture means to me and appreciate the significance of the latter half of the hyphen.
I am confident that my relationship with my identity will continue changing throughout my time in Pune. This blog post is merely the tip of the iceberg, but for now I will sign off by saying I am grateful to have access to American and Indian culture alike. Instead of pitting these two identities against each other, I choose to appreciate the blending of the two.
Sunday, August 21st: Acclimating to India
It is hard to believe I have already experienced a few days in India. It's been busy and chaotic, to put it lightly, but I have been loving it. After leaving for Newark Airport early Tuesday morning, and after passing over many time zones, I finally reached FLAME's campus 24 hours later. Needless to say, I was exhausted after the full day of traveling. I will say, the plane ride went quite smoothly as I dished out some extra money for the exit row (more legroom!) and I brought El Limon sopes to enjoy in the air, but the 4 hour car ride from Mumbai to Pune was quite nauseating. If you have never experienced driving in India before, it is the epitome of chaos, especially coming from a suburban America driver; I was quite literally clutching onto my Om necklace for dear life while communicating with the driver in broken Hindi. Thankfully, I made it in one piece.
I was met on campus by the lovely study abroad coordinator, who immediately fed me a masala burger (vegetarian, of course, as there is no meat or egg permitted on campus). After completing some obligatory arrival paperwork, I met my roommate Clara, the one other international student, who is from Madrid. Since my arrival, I have mainly been juggling jet lag, unpacking, and orientation tasks. It's been an adjustment, but I have been handling it pretty well, especially given the fact that I normally don't react well to change. I am grateful to be experiencing a new way of life with new people, and I can truly see myself falling in love with India more than I already have.
On another note, I have been channeling my extroverted nature by sitting with random students in the dining hall or knocking on my neighbor's door and introducing myself. It has proven to be quite effective, though, as Clara and I were able to join some students traveling to the city today. We went out to lunch and went street shopping, where I learned that bargaining in India is a must! I was also approached by a German who was fascinated by my accent, asking "Are you an American?!" I am excited to continue meeting new people and exploring different parts of Pune.
For context, FLAME's campus sits at the bottom of a valley on the outskirts of Pune, so there are campus shuttles that take you to the surrounding parts of the city. It's quite comparable to the Wellesley-Boston relationship. I'm quite glad that FLAME is sheltered in its own campus because the city can be quite overwhelming. There are also many differences between American colleges and FLAME; for example, I must punch in and out every time I leave and return to campus using my fingerprint. There is a campus curfew of midnight (which I have learned is quite lax for India, as other universities have a curfew as early as 6PM). The security guards check your bags upon arrival, making sure there are no vegetarian or egg-based foods entering campus. There are also various wardens (as opposed to RAs) who supervise their group of students. While this may seem restrictive or bothersome, I don't really mind it at all (yet). I'm genuinely just really excited to experience Indian culture, whatever that looks like. Plus, FLAME has a bowl of fennel seeds in the dining hall, so it truly is my living heaven (for those who know me, I have an ungodly obsession with fennel seeds, or saunf).
After today, I feel quite settled and ready to conquer the start of my classes tomorrow (with linear algebra at 9AM - lucky me!). I hope that this next week will allow me to get into a bit of a routine with my classes and physical/mental wellbeing. I also hope my spice tolerance begins to increase a bit. Most importantly, I want to speak Hindi more; for those who don't know, English is very widely spoken in India, so all the schooling is done in English. Because of this, it is very easy for me to speak English with my friends, especially as I get settled in; however, it is important to me to force myself to at least try conversing in Hindi before resorting to English.
I am very excited to continue sharing my updates with you all, and I will see you next Sunday (if not earlier)!
I was met on campus by the lovely study abroad coordinator, who immediately fed me a masala burger (vegetarian, of course, as there is no meat or egg permitted on campus). After completing some obligatory arrival paperwork, I met my roommate Clara, the one other international student, who is from Madrid. Since my arrival, I have mainly been juggling jet lag, unpacking, and orientation tasks. It's been an adjustment, but I have been handling it pretty well, especially given the fact that I normally don't react well to change. I am grateful to be experiencing a new way of life with new people, and I can truly see myself falling in love with India more than I already have.
On another note, I have been channeling my extroverted nature by sitting with random students in the dining hall or knocking on my neighbor's door and introducing myself. It has proven to be quite effective, though, as Clara and I were able to join some students traveling to the city today. We went out to lunch and went street shopping, where I learned that bargaining in India is a must! I was also approached by a German who was fascinated by my accent, asking "Are you an American?!" I am excited to continue meeting new people and exploring different parts of Pune.
For context, FLAME's campus sits at the bottom of a valley on the outskirts of Pune, so there are campus shuttles that take you to the surrounding parts of the city. It's quite comparable to the Wellesley-Boston relationship. I'm quite glad that FLAME is sheltered in its own campus because the city can be quite overwhelming. There are also many differences between American colleges and FLAME; for example, I must punch in and out every time I leave and return to campus using my fingerprint. There is a campus curfew of midnight (which I have learned is quite lax for India, as other universities have a curfew as early as 6PM). The security guards check your bags upon arrival, making sure there are no vegetarian or egg-based foods entering campus. There are also various wardens (as opposed to RAs) who supervise their group of students. While this may seem restrictive or bothersome, I don't really mind it at all (yet). I'm genuinely just really excited to experience Indian culture, whatever that looks like. Plus, FLAME has a bowl of fennel seeds in the dining hall, so it truly is my living heaven (for those who know me, I have an ungodly obsession with fennel seeds, or saunf).
After today, I feel quite settled and ready to conquer the start of my classes tomorrow (with linear algebra at 9AM - lucky me!). I hope that this next week will allow me to get into a bit of a routine with my classes and physical/mental wellbeing. I also hope my spice tolerance begins to increase a bit. Most importantly, I want to speak Hindi more; for those who don't know, English is very widely spoken in India, so all the schooling is done in English. Because of this, it is very easy for me to speak English with my friends, especially as I get settled in; however, it is important to me to force myself to at least try conversing in Hindi before resorting to English.
I am very excited to continue sharing my updates with you all, and I will see you next Sunday (if not earlier)!