I am writing this as I sit cozied up in bed preparing for University to start tomorrow. I have had the best summer interning in Mumbai and making lifelong friends and memories. In this reflection, I would like to note the things and people that I am grateful for, and the ways in which I have grown from this trip.
Practicing Gratitude
- While there are so many things I am grateful for, there is nothing I am more grateful for than my fellow cohort (now besties!). I was not expecting to get along with the group as well as I did and I truly feel I did find lifelong friends. From supporting me in the very first week when I was sick, to always making sure we were all included, and being some of the funniest people I have ever met, I could not have found a better group of people to travel to Mumbai for 6 weeks with me. I am feeling separation anxiety as we spent every day together for a month and a half, and now I am no longer with them.
2. I am grateful for the MANAV Foundation team for the support they gave me all throughout my internship. While I was sick, they made sure to check up on me, especially as they knew my family would be worried as I am in Mumbai by myself. Usha Tai would make me coffee instead of chai if I asked for it (through broken Hindi and English) and the rest of the interns were so fun to be with- how many people can say they interned with psychology interns in another country?? I am also grateful to the MANAV Foundation clients for sharing their time and rehabilitative journey with me. I had good conversation and a positive time with them, and I hope they felt the same with me.
3. I am grateful to Naveen, Bobbie, and the rest of the UOA 360 International and GCC Teams for their support with this programme. With regular communication from Bobbie and Naveen pre, during and post the trip, our entire cohort felt very assured and at ease. Thank you Naveen for all of your support while we were in Mumbai, many components of the trip were only possible because of you- including the Bollywood dance class and the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan trips. Thank you to UOA and ENZ for this incredible, lifetime opportunity.
Practicing Introspection
While it is hard to consider the ways in which I have changed, as I feel they are subtle, I definitely feel different.
- For one, I feel more independent. This was my first time away from home for this long without my family (or anyone that I know for that matter). I haven’t travelled much in my life, and have never travelled for 6 weeks. In the beginning of the trip, I was expecting the long duration to be a real struggle. Little did I know time would fly by! I had many moments where I was challenged, such as catching the local trains by myself from work, or trying to make my way through Mumbai with no Hindi, or taking care of myself when I was sick. But I handled all of these challenges a lot better than I was expecting which increased my self-confidence! I actually really enjoyed the independence- the ability to take care of myself and make decisions for myself.
2. I got better at calculated risk-taking. Many experiences in Mumbai carry more risk than in Auckland, as is the case when you are travelling in a developing country with limited knowledge of the language and environment. In the first week, there were so many things I were scared of. I recall crossing the roads by myself, asking for help when I did not understand what was happening during the group sessions at work and travelling by myself were serious concerns I had in the first week. Deciding what food would be safe to eat and what water would be safe to drink also posed threats throughout the trip. As I got sick in the first week (and continued to feel slightly sick-ish for the rest of the trip), I had to seriously consider what activities were safe to do- would there be too much pollution, is there any way to mitigate this, like wearing a mask? or is this activity going to burn me out for the rest of the trip?). I learnt that living in a safety net is not fun, especially when you are on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! But also, making calculated decisions, based on future commitments and my health and safety are important.
3. I also had to consider my place in society. As many of my peers have also commented on, the stark disparity between the rich and the poor in Mumbai can be eye-opening and somewhat uncomfortable to sit with for those of us who grew up in Western countries where poverty is relatively hidden. This opportunity has taught me how privileged I am to be living in Aotearoa New Zealand and in the position that I am. I have a responsibility to use all of the privilege I have been given to give back.
Thank you for this opportunity once again. I know that I will remember this experience for the rest of my life, and I know it will be useful for my studies and personal life.