Latest posts from the group
- First Week as Mumbaikersby Sangavi ShanthinathanIt 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 BrownTo 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 Aoby Calem Tiki Stewart-LeatonAnd 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 Curryby Gina GaoLanding 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 MaxwellBefore 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 WearneIt 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 Madnessby Caitlin TaveliaAfter 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 MacKinnonOn 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 FirthWhat 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 Mumbaiby Fang TuigamalaAuthorization Required: this content may only be viewed by registered users. Please login….Continue Reading The Face of God in Mumbai
- Mastering Mumbai, one street at a time 🛺by Jumana MaashWhere 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 Truthby Dylan MugglestonSince 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 Weekby Anna SluyterArriving 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 Heartbeatby Karamvir TalwarThe 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 Exceededby Nic PowellIt 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