Over the past few months, we have explored many parts of life in Vellore, India. We have learned about topics varying from Diwali to sarees to monkeys. Taking this journey with you has helped me think about the community I come from and the community that I am a part of in Vellore.
As I have written each article, I have had the opportunity to reflect on a piece of life in Vellore and how my background shapes how I interact with communities. Whether I am choosing what food to eat or choosing the words to communicate, my background shapes the way I see the world. Taking photos to illustrate these articles reminds me that as much as I adjust to life in Vellore, I continue to have a unique perspective.
Teaching in Vellore is my first job out of college, and I came here knowing that I am and will continue to pursue a career in public service. Many of the women I have met have no careers besides homemaking, or they work a job while prioritizing their family life. Getting to know these women and hearing their perspectives on careers and homemaking has helped me better understand myself. I have learned that my family and roots in Southern California have shaped the way that I balance parts of my life.
