As a Pasifika woman, through a series of fortunate events, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to multiple countries and experience different cultures. However, none of these trips could ever match up to living in India. The hospitality, the food, the colour, history and culture – to experience this first hand while living here has been wonderful.
Living in Mumbai has taught me a lot of things, but most of all it’s taught me to decenter myself. I walked into this internship perhaps subconsciously believing the world would shift for me but ultimately I was absolutely bowled over by the world. I’ve definitely embarrassed myself a lot, I’ve gone off on my own and didn’t know what to do or expect but somehow India has still managed to capture my heart.
The places I’ve been and the things I’ve seen, I think a lot of people back home would faint from culture shock. It’s not all fun, and usually I’ve only told my family about all the good things but that’s what living is all about – you don’t always get the greener side. Fortunately, even though I’ve been off on my own, the pure hospitality of the people around me has always made me feel safe. I’ve loved every second being here, even the odd bad day I can look back on fondly, because everything is a lesson to be learnt.
Of course, none of this would be possible without my actual internship itself. I want to express my utmost gratitude to the Knowledge Management team at Trilegal. Tanya, Aimi and Varnika have been the most welcoming group of women, and I will forever be grateful for their wisdom and guidance throughout my time here.
There is so much I have left to do in so little time. Never again will I be given this opportunity and despite such a bittersweet feeling knowing I might not see the friends I’ve made in a very long time, I’m glad I hopped on that excruciatingly long haul flight to come to India. I’m happy I’ve embarrassed myself, I’m glad I used my choppy broken Hindi, I’m glad I was stranded on a mountain with Calem by my side. Everything here was a lesson to be learnt. You never know who you are and what you represent until you leave your home.
My next blog I’ll be back in the heat of NZ, suffering from our thin ozone layer, but I’ll definitely be looking back on all the pictures I’ve taken throughout my trip. Mumbai has left its mark on me indefinitely, I’m glad I came here.
There is so much more I wish I could tell you, but it’s better to see for yourself. Until next time!
