Today marks the halfway point of my internship here in Mumbai. Somehow, it still hasn’t clicked that I’m in India. I’m writing this while nestled into my plane seat destined for Rajasthan, vegetable biryani in hand – I could get used to this lifestyle!
In this blog, I’ll be sharing how culture shock can quickly turn into the ‘norm’ when you fling yourself into cultural immersion.
The Commute – An Adventure (and Challenge) in Itself!
At first, the one and a half hour commute to work was intimidating. Stepping outside of my accommodation for the 15-minute walk to Churchgate train station felt like a real-life game of Crossy Road…clumsily dodging cars while the sound of horns fills the air and people are bustling around, as you silently pray that you make it to the other side in one piece.
However, cars aren’t the only thing I’ve grown accustomed to dodging on my commute to work. As I walk past the Bombay High Court overlooking the cricket pitch, I’ve learnt from experience that it pays to keep an eye out for rogue cricket balls! The pitch is always packed with keen cricketers – it really is a sport that sits at the heart of India! Pro-tip: make sure to scratch up on your cricket knowledge before arriving here, the locals are always keen to chat about the Blackcaps!
What used to be a hectic and overwhelming train ride to Bandra station has become an exciting journey filled with little hurdles. Although I don’t think I’ll ever grow accustomed to having to squeeze myself through a dense crowd just to get onto my platform, the throngs of people slowly turn from overwhelming to reassuring.
Another challenge in the commute is the rickshaws – you never know how long it will take you to get one. Or better yet, how long you’ll have to haggle with the driver just to get him to charge you by meter!
Food: Spices & Chai
If there’s one thing I’ve settled into fast, it’s the food. I always look forward to the 11am and 3pm rounds of chai at work, or my colleagues adding food to my plate, always eager for me to try another dish! And don’t get me started on the gulab jamun – it’s a must try!
However, I’ve also had to navigate new ways of eating – being accustomed to eating with a knife and fork, it’s been a challenge to eat predominantly with my hands (and trying to bear in mind to use the right hand as a lefty.) And when I’m finished with my meal, I now find myself reaching for sugar-coated fennel seeds instead of my eclipse mints.
Our Cohort
One of the best parts about taking up the Mumbai Internship is getting to know your fellow interns and settling into routine. Our daily rituals include card games after dinner, midnight trips to K Rustoms for a cheeky ice cream, and swiggying new Indian sweets to our doorstep. One of my highlights has been going to watch a football match together in our matching India shirts (thanks to Jumana’s phenomenal haggling skills!)
Ultimately, there’s a lot to adjust to when you arrive in India – the traffic, horns, smog, noise, heat, haggling, and strangers asking for selfies as you walk down the road! But I’ve learnt that if you take it all in your stride, willing to give everything a go, you’ll find your feet pretty quick.
