Three weeks in Mumbai have felt like a lifetime. What started as culture shock has turned into familiarity—chaotic streets, honking traffic, and warm smiles now feel like home. My internship at Doctors for You has been eye-opening. No two days are the same, and our supervisor has crafted an incredible schedule exposing us to different…Continue Reading Beyond the Cave: Reflections from Mumbai
Settling in From the commute to interacting with locals, I finally feel like I am settling in! My work is about roughly a 20 minute walk away, it used to feel like an impossible task at first – with rickshaws and cars around every corner, but I am getting used to it and enjoying my…Continue Reading Feeling like a Mumbaikar
When I was shortlisted for an interview for the global internship programme, they asked me ‘Explain how your set of skills reflect those of a global ambassador.’ Naturally, I showed off my background giving back to my community, my strong cultural competency skills, and my love for Aotearoa and our people. However, these skills and…Continue Reading Mumbai Meri Jaan: A Place of Growth
As we reach the end of our third week in Mumbai, I can hardly believe that we’re already halfway through our time here. The last three weeks have flown by in a blur of new experiences, and I’ve truly been having the time of my life. The more I explore this city that has quickly…Continue Reading Cancel my return flight please
These last two weeks have been highly eye-opening in more ways than I could have imagined. I have officially completed 3-weeks of my public health internship for an NGO, Aastha Parivaar, which is an organisation for the sex worker population. Understanding the ins and outs of public health in one of the world’s most dynamic…Continue Reading The Ins and Outs of Public Health
It’s hard to believe I’m already halfway through this internship! Immersing myself in Bollywood’s fast-paced environment has been nothing short of exhilarating. From the energy on set to the scale of production and the collaborative spirit, every day has been a new adventure. I interned at Rising Sun Studios during a major ad shoot for…Continue Reading Lights, Camera, Internship: My Bollywood Experience So Far! 🎬 🎥
My father and mother met at a blue-light disco. My nan went to primary in Ngaruawahia before moving to Auckland. My koro left Maatauri when he was 16. My nannies were part of the Maaori women’s liberation movement. My tuupuna, Matire Toha and Kati Takiwaru Te Wherowhero, brought peace to Ngaa Puhi and the Waikato…Continue Reading The Cave That Sings
How do you know when a place has started to feel like home? Three weeks in and three weeks to go. The more I think about leaving Mumbai, the more I don’t want to leave. There are still so many people who I want to get to know better, and so many things I want…Continue Reading Interning the Indian Way
In an incredibly short timespan I’ve started to evolve from a chronically overthinking kid who’d never left the Pacific to a strong-willed, highly adaptable intern living like a local. The cheat code is Mumbai pushing me to treat every day like a new level in the video game of life. I understand this sounds like…Continue Reading Life is Like a Video Game
Okay, get your bucket list out right now. Grab a pen, and add ‘attend an Indian wedding’. From the colours to the music, the dancing and the food, an Indian wedding is a whirlwind of vibrant energy you don’t want to miss! I feel incredibly fortunate to say that I had the privilege of attending…Continue Reading Wedding Time!!