2025 Global Internships in Mumbai

Adam Wearne

Hayley Brown

Sarah Bahoo

Brooke Firth

Gina Gao

Jumana Maash

Talia MacKinnon

Lauryn Maxwell

Dylan Muggleston

Nicolas Powell

Devanshi Ranjan

Sangavi Shanthinathan

Anna Sluyter

Calem Stewart-Leaton

Karamvir Talwar

Caitlin Tavelia

Fagafeuo Tuigamala

Latest posts from the group

• First Week as Mumbaikers
  by Sangavi Shanthinathan
  It has been one week since we arrived in Mumbai. It has flown by so fast, with so many unique and interesting experiences that I could not possibly list them out (in fact, so much has happened that I don’t even remember all of it). So, here are my 5 favourite things about this week: 1. Going to a foreign country with 16 strangers It’s funny to think that it’s…Continue Reading First Week as Mumbaikers
• Week 1: Food, Trains, Human Trafficking Prevention, and an Indian Wedding!
  by Hayley Brown
  To say that Mumbai is an overload on the senses would be an understatement. From the spices and aromas, the hustle and bustle, the vivid colours, to the diversity of Indian culture – I am blown away! I’ll kick off with one of my favourite aspects…the food! It quickly became apparent that food sits at the heart of Indian culture – whether it’s colleagues offering me a bite of their…Continue Reading Week 1: Food, Trains, Human Trafficking Prevention, and an Indian Wedding!
• From Manurewa to Mumbai: Maaori ki Te Ao
  by Calem Tiki Stewart-Leaton
  And so, the date was nearing—the 11th of January. The air was a little tense late into the night before flying out. Everyone was laughing at my jokes more than usual, I got an extra serving on my plate during dinner, and I could feel the “I’m going to miss you so much” tears coming a whole six hours before my departure. To briefly set an image in your head:…Continue Reading From Manurewa to Mumbai: Maaori ki Te Ao
• Chaos, Culture, and Curry
  by Gina Gao
  Landing in Mumbai for the first time was like stepping into a completely different world—loud, colourful (with a tint of yellow), and full of life. As a Chinese-Korean-Kiwi who grew up in New Zealand, I was amazed by how seamlessly the city blends so many cultures and traditions. Everywhere I looked, something interesting was happening—streets bustling, women in stunning Sarees passing by, the sound of Hindi filling the air, rickshaws…Continue Reading Chaos, Culture, and Curry
• My Haerenga ki Mumbai (Navigating Culture Shock)
  by Lauryn Maxwell
  Before arriving in Mumbai, I had some preconceptions about what India is like. This was influenced by how the country is portrayed online through social media, the dense population, the pollution, and potentially being an unsafe country. Getting ready to gear up for 15+ hours of flying and being away for 6 weeks wasn’t easy. Saying goodbye to my whānau was the hardest part. It was also a time to…Continue Reading My Haerenga ki Mumbai (Navigating Culture Shock)
• First week in India!
  by Adam Wearne
  It all began a week ago when all seventeen of us gathered at Auckland Airport for our 1 am departure time. After a 10-hour flight to Singapore and a blissful sleep in the middle seat between Sarah and Brooke, it was just a 5-hour hop over to Mumbai.  Our first adrenaline rush in India, as I’m sure everyone will bring your attention to, was the drive from the airport to…Continue Reading First week in India!
• Big City, Bigger Dreams: Navigating the Mumbai Madness
  by Caitlin Tavelia
  After leaving my heart in Aotearoa, my body and soul boarded a plane to begin a new adventure in Mumbai! With the feeling of nervousness, excitement, and perhaps dread for the unknown, nothing would have ever prepared me for what was in store. Noise, heat, and colour are only a few words to describe the bustling city of Bombay. With a population of 20 million individuals packed into one city,…Continue Reading Big City, Bigger Dreams: Navigating the Mumbai Madness
• “The Girl On The Train”
  by Talia MacKinnon
  On the first day of our internships, I faced a 3 hour commute, on local trains, with no knowledge of the language, all alone. It was petrifying. After the first few stops, a young girl, no older than 11 perched herself beside me. She was in tears, begging her mum to stay, despite clearly needing to embark on this journey alone. She honestly reflected how I felt internally. Beautifully encapsulating…Continue Reading “The Girl On The Train”
• From Smog to Spice and many Surprises! 
  by Sarah Bahoo
  “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all” – Helen Keller I’m writing this as I sit at Kochi Airport in Kerala, three hours early for my flight back to Mumbai. It’s the perfect time to reflect on what has been an incredible, whirlwind week. Honestly, it feels like I’ve lived 900 different lives in just seven days!  The quote above by Helen Keller perfectly captures how I’ve felt…Continue Reading From Smog to Spice and many Surprises! 
• My Arrival in Mumbai📍🇮🇳
  by Brooke Firth
  What an incredible first week in Mumbai! It’s hard to describe the mix of emotions I’ve experienced so far. I have never quite felt the way I did on Tuesday on the way to my internship for the first time. The nerves and excitement that rushed through my body were incredible – being that much out of my comfort zone was an amazing feeling.  As I set off on this…Continue Reading My Arrival in Mumbai📍🇮🇳
• The Face of God in Mumbai
  by Fang Tuigamala
  It’s beautiful how the stories we tell can come full circle. Recently, I spoke to my congregation about seeing the face of God in the least among us. To illustrate this point, I shared a story about a woman who receives this letter from God: “I will be coming over for dinner tonight. Please prepare me something to eat. Love, God.” Thrilled at the thought of meeting God, she buys…Continue Reading The Face of God in Mumbai
• Mastering Mumbai, one street at a time 🛺
  by Jumana Maash
  Where to begin? My first week in Mumbai has been such a whirlwind of adventure that it’s hard to sum up in just a few hundred words. I embarked on this journey to push myself out of my comfort zone and discover more about who I am. What better way to grow than by throwing yourself into a new job, in a new city, in a new country where you…Continue Reading Mastering Mumbai, one street at a time 🛺
• Numbers Tell a Story – But Not the Whole Truth
  by Dylan Muggleston
  Since arriving in Mumbai 8 days ago, I’ve taken 182,212 steps, spent 434 minutes on trains, ridden in 12 taxis and 14 tuk-tuks, spent 24 hours at my internship, handed out just as many bars of soap, tried at least 1 new food at every meal, attended 2 hockey trainings, and visited 4 forts. Like with all data, these numbers convey a lot about my first week in India, yet…Continue Reading Numbers Tell a Story – But Not the Whole Truth
• First Impressions of Mumbai: My First Week
  by Anna Sluyter
  Arriving in Mumbai was an experience I’ll never forget. Seventeen of us crammed into vans with barely any room, bags hoisted onto the roof, and a makeshift seatbelt strap handed to me in the front seat. As I settled into this chaotic, lively scene, I knew I was in for an adventure. In my first week here, I’ve been exploring Mumbai in ways that have made this city feel both…Continue Reading First Impressions of Mumbai: My First Week
• Keeping Pace with Mumbai’s Heartbeat
  by Karamvir Talwar
  The title is not an exaggeration! Arrival 🛬 Arriving here, I was expecting a city a bit busier than Auckland — noisier too. I was expecting the weather to be slightly warm (even though it is winter in Mumbai) and public transport to be easy to manoeuvre. But I was off target on so many levels. The moment I landed here, there was so much to absorb. Cats, dogs, cows,…Continue Reading Keeping Pace with Mumbai’s Heartbeat
• An Expectation Exceeded
  by Nic Powell
  It would be dishonest to suggest that my expectations of Mumbai were entirely positive. Conversations prior to my departure had instilled me with greater caution than optimism. It has taken but a week for that caution to be replaced with awe and a true appreciation of the city in which I find myself.  What could not have been expected was my treatment at the university at which I am researching….Continue Reading An Expectation Exceeded
• The Magic of Mumbai
  by Devanshi Ranjan
  People, people, and more people. This was one of the key differences I first noticed when entering the ‘City of Dreams.’ Coming to a place where the population of the city alone is 4 times more than the population of the entire country, seeing the rush compared to New Zealand was definitely eye-opening. Viewing Mumbai while on the evening walking tour with Naveen and the cohort emphasised how it really…Continue Reading The Magic of Mumbai
• Wedding Time!!
  by Hayley Brown
  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 two days of an Indian wedding celebration in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.  Despite having never met anyone…Continue Reading Wedding Time!!
• Life is Like a Video Game
  by Talia MacKinnon
  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 a lame gimmick but it’s truly allowed me to unlock a better, more multifaceted version…Continue Reading Life is Like a Video Game
• Interning the Indian Way
  by Gina Gao
  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 to tick off my bucket list. There are endless UNESCO sites I want to visit…Continue Reading Interning the Indian Way
• The Cave That Sings
  by Calem Tiki Stewart-Leaton
  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 through marriage. Maikuku’s taniwha wept, giving rise to the story behind the name Waitangi, and…Continue Reading The Cave That Sings
• Lights, Camera, Internship: My Bollywood Experience So Far! 🎬 🎥
  by Brooke Firth
  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 a well-known Indian food brand featuring some of India’s most prominent celebrities. While I cannot…Continue Reading Lights, Camera, Internship: My Bollywood Experience So Far! 🎬 🎥
• The Ins and Outs of Public Health
  by Lauryn Maxwell
  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 and decorated cities has been a whirlwind of growth and exposure to the realities of…Continue Reading The Ins and Outs of Public Health
• Cancel my return flight please
  by Jumana Maash
  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 become my new home, the more I fall in love with it—the people, the food,…Continue Reading Cancel my return flight please
• Mumbai Meri Jaan: A Place of Growth
  by Caitlin Tavelia
  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 experiences will only get you a ¼ of the way – the rest is up…Continue Reading Mumbai Meri Jaan: A Place of Growth
• Feeling like a Mumbaikar
  by Karamvir Talwar
  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 surroundings. South Mumbai has a lot of old colonial buildings that look super aesthetic during…Continue Reading Feeling like a Mumbaikar
• Week 2 & 3 in India!
  by Adam Wearne
  When I signed off my last blog post, I was at the airport heading to Ahmedabad for the weekend to attend a few wedding events. To say that a lot has happened in the last two weeks would be quite an understatement! To begin, Anna, Hayley and I had the most incredible weekend filled with colourful wedding outfits, insanely good food, dancing, and more dancing. Although we desperately wanted to…Continue Reading Week 2 & 3 in India!
• Settling Into a New ‘Normal’
  by Hayley Brown
  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…Continue Reading Settling Into a New ‘Normal’
• Mumbai: A confusing city where less is more
  by Dylan Muggleston
  Every day, as I sit on the train, looking out at the slums, train track welders, stray animals, crowds, skyscrapers, and never-ending sea of rubbish, I can’t help but think—this place can’t be real. The mixed scent of fragrant spices and fermenting sewage drifts through the air while the relentless horns, blaring party music, and clanking metal rattle my skull. It feels like I am living in an alternate reality—and…Continue Reading Mumbai: A confusing city where less is more
• MANAV Foundation: Mental Health in Mumbai
  by Sangavi Shanthinathan
  Interning in a Mental Health psychosocial rehabilitation facility for the past three weeks has been an incredible learning experience. I originally applied for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Mumbai as I wanted to learn about how Mental Health care operates in South Asia, particularly regarding how Mental Health workers navigate stigma and incorporate cultural knowledge. As one of the first Tamil clinical psychology students, I wanted to know more about…Continue Reading MANAV Foundation: Mental Health in Mumbai
• Over and above
  by Nic Powell
  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…Continue Reading Over and above
• Beyond the Headlines: My Internship in Dharavi
  by Anna Sluyter
  Now that I’m past the halfway mark of my internship in Mumbai, I want to reflect on the experience so far—where I’m working, who I’m working with, and most importantly, what I’ve learned. When I first received my placement at Urbz, I looked it up briefly, thought it seemed interesting and moved on. That changed the moment I arrived in Mumbai. I soon discovered that Urbz is based in Dharavi—often…Continue Reading Beyond the Headlines: My Internship in Dharavi
• Mumbai’s Manaakitanga
  by Devanshi Ranjan
  From shopping, to sharing food, to navigating and interacting with people I just met, the manaakitanga and willingness to take initiative was an aspect that was particularly prominent. Even when window-shopping along the streets of night markets without a hint of intention to spend, store owners would go out of their way to show us the variety of options that could satisfy our wants. They would make us feel welcome,…Continue Reading Mumbai’s Manaakitanga
• A Wild Ride in Rajasthan
  by Talia MacKinnon
  Kia Ora all, long time no talk! Every fortnight when I sit down and prepare to write my next blog post, I can’t help but feel like the girl that wrote the last entry is a complete stranger. That is how truly transformative my time in India has been. The personal and professional development I am experiencing is unparalleled.  A key turning point since last time I wrote in, is…Continue Reading A Wild Ride in Rajasthan
• Mumbai’s Last Moments of Spontaneity 
  by Gina Gao
  Mumbai has a way of pulling you into its whirlwind of adventures, where the unexpected turns into the most unforgettable moments. Of course, I imagine it might feel different if you lived here as a local, but as a tourist and intern working and living here temporarily, that’s exactly how it felt.  New Friendships at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum It all started with a simple plan: visit a…Continue Reading Mumbai’s Last Moments of Spontaneity 
• The Power of Saying Yes
  by Brooke Firth
  Embracing the Unexpected in India As my time in Mumbai draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on how much has changed simply because I chose to say yes – to new people, new experiences, and even moments of discomfort. When I first arrived, Mumbai felt unfamiliar, overwhelming, and fast-paced. Now, it feels like a second home. From the energy of film sets to the warmth of the…Continue Reading The Power of Saying Yes
• Wrapping up the Internship (& a weekend away)
  by Lauryn Maxwell
  It’s hard to believe that our time and internships in Mumbai have almost ended. With less than two weeks left in the busy, bustling country of India, it’s safe to say that I have gained experience and opportunities that will last forever. As my internship ends, I reflect on my first week arriving in the country and working. I had many pre-conceptions about what it would be like here and…Continue Reading Wrapping up the Internship (& a weekend away)
• Awake for Adventure! – Embracing Every Moment in India
  by Sarah Bahoo
  Five weeks into living and working in India, I feel like I have truly learned what it means to live life to the fullest. The opportunities that come my way are fleeting, and I’ve realized that I can always sleep later, but these experiences may never come again. Of course, I acknowledge the importance of sleep, but when I travel, my philosophy has always been to make the most of…Continue Reading Awake for Adventure! – Embracing Every Moment in India
• Truth is stranger than fiction
  by Dylan Muggleston
  As I sat in a taxi last night, I realized this once strange city now feels like home. Landmarks like the clock tower, cricket oval, university, high court, skyscrapers, and even smaller aspects like the shoe-shining vendors, sugarcane stalls, and stray dogs have become a normal part of my daily experience. The trains, roads, haggling, and crowds that once felt chaotic now feel normal. With my time here ending, I…Continue Reading Truth is stranger than fiction
• Finding Home at Urja Trust
  by Jumana Maash
  After five weeks in Mumbai and three blog posts, I’ve realised that I have yet to share any details about the exciting work I’ve been doing here. My time in this city has been shaped not only by its vibrant culture and buzzing streets but also by my internship at Urja Trust—a remarkable organisation dedicated to supporting homeless young women in Mumbai. Urja Trust provides shelter, security, and rehabilitative care…Continue Reading Finding Home at Urja Trust
• Work, the desert, Taj Mahal and more!
  by Adam Wearne
  As we finish up our fifth week here in India, I’m struggling to come to terms with the fact that we have to come home next week. The last few weeks have gone by especially fast, and I don’t even know where to begin!  My last blog post two weeks ago left off just before we were about to head to Rajasthan in India’s northwest. We spent the most amazing…Continue Reading Work, the desert, Taj Mahal and more!
• Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan: Until we meet again
  by Caitlin Tavelia
  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…Continue Reading Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan: Until we meet again
• A Colossal World
  by Fang Tuigamala
  Every day, I find myself saying, “India is so colossal!” And it truly is. In just five weeks, I feel like I’ve done it all—marvelling at the terrifically towering Taj Mahal in Agra, celebrating the once-every-144-years Maha Kumbh Mela festival amongst the countless pilgrims pouring into Varanasi, paragliding over the mesmerising mountains in Lonavala, and exploring both the enigmatic Elephanta and kaleidoscopic Kanheri caves in Mumbai. Yet, even amidst this…Continue Reading A Colossal World
• “If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew you never knew.”
  by Calem Tiki Stewart-Leaton
  In New Zealand, I often feel the weight of my identity pressing upon those around me. I am seen as radical, too progressive and always asking for too much. The contributions I offer are often overshadowed by stereotypes that breathe life into narratives society continues to write about people like me and who we are destined to be. But here, in India, those perceptions tied to the color of my…Continue Reading “If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you’ll learn things you never knew you never knew.”
• Snippets from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
  by Sangavi Shanthinathan
  Last weekend, our group took a trip to Jaisalmer. I had high expectations, as many of my coworkers had said it was the most beautiful place in India. It exceeded my expectations and I have to write everything down so I never forget. We started off on Saturday, all on the same flight to Jaisalmer with a large family parade that had come for a wedding! We landed at an…Continue Reading Snippets from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan