Air India.
Typically anxious before new beginnings, I think I’ve been rather calm in the weeks leading up to today. In fact, I think I’m more nervous about flying Air India than I am about living in India for 10 months. The horror stories of the bathroom smell, the lost luggage and cranky personnel that my family and friends offered me have instilled unnecessary fear in me.
I’m moving to India to work for the urban development NGO, Saath (www.saath.org), as an American Inda Foundation (AIF, www.aif.org) Service Corps Fellow in Ahmedabad, India . For the first time in 5 years, I don’t know what I will be doing on a day-to-day basis. I’ve talked about working abroad since college and I’m excited.
On board with me are 22 other fellows, who I briefly met outside our gate. I read through their bios this summer and as I had predicted, we have very different backgrounds. Apple, Human Rights Watch, New Graduates, Investment Banking, the World Bank, Teaching in Japan, Promoting Sexual Awareness, Working in Cairo, Living in Bhuttan, etc., etc. In Delhi, AIF will host a two week training where the 23 of us will acquaint ourselves with the landscape of Indian social development and each other.
I am half-sad to leave my life in the States. I had an incredible 2008. DC and San Diego trips, working on the VWR board presentation in West Chester, War Child, memorable Georgetown and PDC weddings, winning the MDP softball game and closing out the first half of summer at AJ’s and 1641 North was the perfect ending to my two years in Chicago. August was spent exclusively with my GMAT books, my parents, my sister and Mihira. Lots of golf, hot ‘n ready pizzas, taco bell, a trip to Mackinac Island, Olympic watching, India packing, and improving the family’s bowling record to 4 games to 1.
I’ve made a list of goals that I am sure I will only get longer as I get acclimated to India. But here goes:
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Listen. Listen and appreciate what I’m learning before I begin offering my perspective.
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Understand and study the developmental and livelihood landscape in India, specifically microfinance, job creation and urban / rural disparity.
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Connect. Immerse myself in Indian culture. Try to connect with peers, co-workers, locals.
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Patience. Appreciate the awkwardness and frustration.
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Compare the market and profit based solutions to developmental issues in India to the NGO and non-profit strategies.
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Family. Spend time and become a part of my Dad’s family, rather than just a cousin visiting from India. Meet Smita’s family and visit Karamsad. Reach out to and reestablish connections with Mom and Masi’s family.
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Gujarati. Learn the language…finally. No more excuses.
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Potential application of successful development strategies to America.
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Evaluate the growth and opportunity that is India. VWR is offshoring in India, my cousin Nick’s business is based out of India. India is a buzz word and I want to witness the commotion first hand.
I have a window seat and the middle seat was empty until about 30 seconds before we departed from the gate. To its credit, Air India has purchased some very nice new planes. I have a personal video outlet, so a few movies and some Nyquil and I’ll be in India. Good night.
finding rickshaw. 