I am told that this stage of the trip is where ‘reality hits’. If this is meant to imply a decrease in enjoyment and appreciation of my daily experiences, it simply couldn’t be further from the truth. Having become comfortable with the more confronting aspects of the city (the traffic being the foremost amongst them), I have been at liberty to truly experience Mumbai. It has not disappointed.
I remain in a state of awe following my attendance at a T20 cricket match between India and England at Wankhede Stadium. Live sport is not unfamiliar to me, however, no other atmosphere compares to what I experienced last night. A convincing win over England and a century from Abishek Sharma ensured that the Mumbai crowd was at its best. The passion by which I was surrounded made me appreciate why cricket is considered alike to religion in its importance to India. I doubt I’ll ever experience something like it again.
At this point, it is apt to lay out some of my observations about what makes India’s culture distinct from ours. Most noticeable to me is the degree to which locals are expressive. So many of my interactions with locals have left me impressed by how animated they are in conversation. ‘Kiwi culture’ appears reserved (and at times, cold) in comparison. One is apparently truly free to ‘be yourself’ here. The importance placed on hospitality is also impressive. It is as though locals simply cannot do enough to ensure that you are accommodated. This is something truly refreshing to see.
As for the true motive for my being here (my internship): it remains exciting and meaningful. It is my intention to complete a comparative constitutional study between India and New Zealand, with a focus on indigenous rights protections. This is my first experience with academic research. Given my unrelenting interest in a career in academia, the skills I am learning here will surely be enduring. My supervisors at NMIMS School of Law have been instrumental in my development thus far. Once again, I am left feeling truly taken care of.
Working at a university has afforded me the opportunity to regularly interact with other law students. I am yet to have anything other than rigorous and enjoyable conversations with my peers, and I have already made a number of good friends. New Zealand appears to be a place of genuine interest to those I meet, not least due to the popularity of our national cricket team. Most of the individuals I have spoken to have a strong desire of visiting after they graduate. It seems we are truly ‘on the map’.
Even though the novelty of this city has worn off, the awe still remains. The prospect of travel across the country in the coming weeks is a true cause for excitement, however. As I have maintained from the outset of this trip, I am dreading the day we have to head home.