I only knew it was a really big and important country in the world, both economically and culturally. I figured a country that important for the world as a whole is one I need to familiarize myself with if I want to be an effective international journalist. Also, friends who had gone there described it as "difficult" for a Westerner. The unique gender and caste dynamic in India interested me as a Sociology student too. And finally, when I discovered just how small the number of Western students studying there was, I knew it was the perfect challenge. With help from the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, I was able to make it happen!
I have to admit, Bengaluru, India was not easy at first. I fell sick twice within the first couple months (one of those instances being Dengue Fever, an ugly disease that has been an epidemic in Bengaluru). I immediately noticed the noise, too. Traffic laws are very vague and, at times, seemingly non-existent. Drivers here honk their horns all the time! Fresh air in the big city seems to be scarce. For the first time in my life I became conscience of the air I was breathing. Pushing past these initial knee-jerk reactions to a country can be hard. I think I was experiencing culture shock for the first time in my life. But when I was able to commit myself to understanding India and its quirks, I really started to appreciate it. I look forward to sharing this experience with you.
