August 26th 2012

Orientation


I finally said the tear-inducing yet inevitable goodbyes to my friends and family and headed off to Princeton on Friday. Orientation began on Saturday where I met the people that I will be spending these next nine months with as well as the people who are coordinating this journey. Already we have participated in meaningful discussions on topics surrounding the types of service we choose to do, the goals we set for ourselves, and the poop scale (don’t ask). Earlier today my India group had a private meeting with one of the directors where we talked about how important it is to remember that we are allowed to be frustrated with, and even hate, the program. We are going to be frustrated with ourselves, the people around us, and the culture we are immersing ourselves in while we adjust to a new life, and an automatic “this experience is awesome” with a smile is not expected. But the tough parts are what make the trip so great...or so I’ve heard. My group has adopted an “It’s all in your head (except typhoid)” mantra, which I’m hoping will at least lessen the hardships we face.

In addition to the mental preparation, we are receiving physical preparation. Earlier today, we also had a packing party. This party consisted of our group sitting outside and completely unpacking our bags so that our directors could identify all of the useless stuff we had packed to send back to our parents before we leave. So now my backpacks take up a little less space and I’m not completely falling over while carrying them! 

it's nine months of equipment not a person in my backpack

We have two more days of orientation and then we are the last group to leave at 7:30 pm on Wednesday. Until then I will be getting last minute shots (not excited), listening to as much advice as possible, and trying to mentally prepare myself for the journey ahead.

Until next time.. in India!
Ada

August 29th 2012

What am I doing?

Hi everyone!

As the title of my blog says (in the few Hindi words I know), my name is Ada. In five days I will leave my home in Southern California for an orientation at Princeton. Five days after that I will leave the United States for the first time to spend the next nine months in India. I am participating in the Princeton University Bridge Year Program in India with six other students. We will be learning Hindi, completing service projects, and experiencing culture shock. 

India is both intriguing and very foreign. I have a small familiarity with the country only through my yoga practice, which I am happy I will be able to continue. I always answer the question “why India?” with “why not India?” The culture is fascinating, the history is extensive, and c’mon, who doesn’t love a little bit of curry every now and then?

I am writing this blog to keep those that are interested informed on the progress of my journey, to offer a look at India through the eyes of a naïve eighteen year old, and simply for myself so that I can document my experience. I am already feeling a paradox of emotions. I am prepared and hesitant, excited and scared, confident and worried. But I am sure of one thing: I want to go to India with the Bridge Year Program to help people and learn all that I possibly can. So I’ll suck it up. 

It’s been a bit of an adventure this summer, just in the preparations. I am a teenage girl, and adjusting to the concept of packing only what I need is a challenge. Beyond that, my Indian visa application was rejected the first time, the insurance company was not immediately onboard with giving me a year’s supply of malarial pills, and worst of all, I had to get shots. 

my dining room table turned temporary India storage space

Here I am in the home stretch of my preparations for departure. It’s about time to stuff all of my equipment in my backpack, say goodbye to my friends and family, and leave as many of my hesitations behind as possible. And now I am off to enjoy every American thing I can before I leave for India…mostly pertaining to food. 

Until next time! 

Ada