Like anyone going someplace new, I was nervous I wouldn't fit in when I first moved to India. What could I offer to a city as big as Bengaluru? What could I bring to the table that wasn't already there? These questions were inevitable, but I didn't let them scare me away. I've created a space for myself. I now have many important roles here, and that makes all the difference!
First and foremost, I'm one of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) students in Bengaluru, India. That's my study abroad program. I take classes five days a week and I participate in cultural activities with my peers, most of whom are American. As a USAC student, I hang out with this group pretty often. We eat together, sleep together and explore together. When I have no plans for the evening, it's more likely than not that one of the other students do. So opportunities are everywhere! These friends keep me busy and I'm happy they're all here. Being in a different country makes me aware of my American ways. With all these compatriots alongside me, I get a real sense of who we are. It's only natural I feel a bit of comradery with this group.
Second, I'm a volunteer for the waste recycling plant on my school campus.
