It has been a mindblowing first 4 days here in the capital of this incredible country. I can't help but think back several months to when I first decided to come to India to study. Since then, many people have asked me why I waited until senior year to go abroad, and to most of them I reply with "Why not?"
I actually had no intention of going abroad during undergrad because I got the impression that it would just be too much money. I realize now that yes, it can cost a lot, but the added benefit is invaluable. And as I saw more and more of my friends begin to engage in independent travel and tell me stories of different parts of the world, I definitely started to catch the travelbug, and from there began exploring options for semesters abroad.

The second question people often asked was "Why India?" To this I have a few responses. One is that it took me awhile to figure out which subject(s) I felt most passionately about academically, and when I finally declared my major as Sociology Service Learning because of my interest in understanding socioeconomic differences and my overall fascination with people, India, still undeniably influenced by the caste system, seemed like a perfect fit. Many people also don't know that my mother lived in a Sikh Ashram for several years while I was growing up, so I learned a lot of the customs, traditions, and even some of the Punjabi language. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism)

Needless to say, I have been looking forward to this trip for so long and once I officially applied to the IES program in Delhi, my excitement and motivation grew ten fold every time I learned something new about India or the opportunities offered through my program. During spring semester, I was busy enough with classes and extracurricular activities, and at times it seemed overwhelming to have to sift through paperwork and trudge through the red tape necessary to study abroad. But the study abroad offices at both Bryant and IES were extremely helpful in answering my questions and providing me with the necessary paperwork and background information I needed to feel comfortable and secure.

Once the semester ended, I decided to move to Provincetown, Mass with my roommate in order to work and save as much money as I could in order to really enjoy myself when I went away. Okay fine, maayybe the fact that Ptown is like, the greatest place on earth (or at least the east coast) also had a little bit to do with it, too. I wound up working about 4 or 5 jobs over the course of 6 weeks, and becoming friends with amazing people. I actually learned so much living on my own and doing some interesting odd jobs. I was only there for a short time, but I left feeling much older. When it came time to move back home, I had about 6 days to get any errands, paperwork, and wits together before the big departure. It's so strange to think that 7, 8, 9 days ago I was running around the greater boston area like a madman scheduling doctor's appointments, dentist appointments, buying supplies, filling out paperwork, spending time saying goodbye to friends and family...it seems like so long ago.

These past several months I did a lot of research to prepare myself physically, mentally, and emotionally for an 8,000 mile voyage across the Atlantic. The one thing I never anticipated was how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my family. I have done a pretty good amount of travelling around the U.S. for someone my age, but I have never been outside of the states. Never. Not even to Canada. So the idea of being separated from my parents and my siblings for such a long time and not being able to visit them when I want is very foreign to me. Even now it hasn't hit me yet, though I'm sure it will. But for the most part, they understand that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and that all their patience, hardwork, and dedication to my wellbeing is going to pay off in so many ways.

I was very nervous and a bit overwhelmed navigating through security and making sure I was boarding the correct plane at first, but as soon as I sat down in those nice comfy American Airlines seats and felt the rumble of the engine as it prepared for a 6.5 hour voyage to London, I knew that my comfortable, suburban world as I knew it was about to shatter. And I couldn't have been more grateful.

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I am living now in Delhi, India in a gated middle-class neighborhood called Neeti Bagh in the southern part of the city. There are 12 other students from all over the U.S. here with me doing this program (3 boys, 9 girls), and all of us are getting along wonderfully. Everyone is just so excited to be here and we all come from such different places, yet we all have this intense infatuation with India. The staff here has been so so SO extremely helpful and every one of them has gone far out of their way to help us and to make sure we are safe when we travel, eat, sleep, ... everything! I can't stress enough how supportive and fantastic this program is - they spoil us here!

At a later time I will elaborate more on the sights, smells, colors, and people that I have met so far and the fun things we have been doing during orientation, but for now it's getting late and tomorrow we have to get up and leave by 5:30am to catch a train to Mussoorie up North in the mountains for a weekend excursion. I encourage you all to look through my pictures to see some of the Neeti Bagh neighborhood, Delhi markets, and the Ghandi Museum we got to go to today.

Indian fact of the day:
Timur (great grandson [I think] of Ghengis Khan who had control of Delhi after the Tughlaqabad dynasty) loved to play chess, and the term "Checkmate" comes from the Hindi phrase "Shah (sometimes pronounced Sheh) Maat" which literally translates to "King You are Defeated."

Cool, eh? Okay, off to bed for me. Goodnight!

written by  Indiestani on July 18, 2008 from New Delhi, India
from the travel blog: New Delhi
Send a Compliment

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Thank you for sharing this with me. How amazing that your mother lived in a Sikh Ashram. Very interesting… What countries are the other students from? What are their thoughts on America and Americans? I look forward to hearing about all of your adventures and learning more on the sights, smells, colors, and people that you have met!

written by  Curls on July 20, 2008

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Hi S.
great to get all the low down on your trip so far. You are so detailed in the print media!
Blessings, Aunt P in VA.

written by  Paula Lemire on July 20, 2008

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I love the blog sam, very proud and excited,may the force and the love be with you love Dad

written by  gerry schultz on July 22, 2008

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I miss you baby! So happy your having a good time! I love you soooooooooooooooo much! :) Dawn & the boys!

written by  Dawn on July 22, 2008

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Sammy! Your mom just sent me the link to your blog. Simply awesome! I am so happy for you (and a little envious). I was hoping I could see you when you get back, but I will be making my own trip to the middle east at that time (you know...military stuff).
Keep the photos coming, they're great! Stay safe.
Love,
Uncle Dan

written by  Dan on July 23, 2008

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Great to talk with you this a.m. on the phone. What a wonder the virtual 508 number. Sure helps!!1 The photos ( as of today 8/3/08 ) are excellent, S. The apartments reminded me of China. And thank you so much for all the travel writing. my gosh. the Hymalayas no less!! Keep healthy! and happy!
God bless! Paula

written by  Paula Lemire on August 3, 2008

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