I’m also going to miss the corner stores with my favorite masala chips, the street dogs, riding scooties down Rajpur road, feeling comfortable showing up to my friend’s places without calling first, going to weddings on a regular basis, and all the different kinds of chicken, daal and chutneys. I’ve learned how to bargain for the best price, cross the street safely (crossing the road is very difficult here), and eat with my hands. However, I’ll be happy to leave behind the dust and pollution, the rules about when I can go out and the constant honking in the streets. I’ve also had bronchitis and food poisoning, and I didn’t have the best experience at my hostel. All of these experiences combined are what makes studying abroad much different than a vacation or a fun trip. Through it all, I have felt grateful that I was able to come here at all, and even more grateful that I’ve made lifelong friends to help me along the way.
Needless to say, I’m truly going to miss living in India, and I’m also going to miss corresponding with you all on a regular basis. My hope is that you can study abroad someday so that you too can share your personal culture with other people, and explore the differences and similarities between people all over the world. My biggest piece of advice is to take the time to study the local language wherever you go. Using Hindi has allowed me to make friends with people in more meaningful ways, and it’s been the most important way to show my neighbors and friends that I am more than just a tourist in their culture. I hope to return to India next year, and if I ever get the chance, I’d love to make a stop in Brooklyn as well!
