Here goes my first blog! Right now I'm sitting in the Minneapolis airport waiting for my flight to Newark. There's have a 2 hour layover there and then a 15 hour flight to Mumbai! Up until a few days ago I've been incredibly happy and excited. Now I'm starting to panic a little bit as I realize that this is actually going to happen. All of the preparation of the past year has been culminating in this moment, but I'm still in denial that I'm going to be spending the next 10 months in a different country. It's been kind of crazy trying to get ready to leave and packing the past few days so I've been kind of stressed out. Now that I'm on my way I'm starting to get really excited again. There's still a part of me that doesn't believe that I will be in a different country relying on the hospitality of strangers in less than 36 hours, but I know that the Rotary will take care of me and that there is a huge support system of people who are excited for me. Not only everyone with the Edina and Pune Rotary clubs, but my friends and family in Minnesota. At my going away party I had everyone write a note in a journal for me to take. I hadn't looked at it until about half an hour ago and it made me feel so confident and happy that everyone is excited for me, even though they will miss me.
With me on this amazing journey is Audrey Lauer and I'm so excited to share this incredible experience with her. Since we go to the airport at 11:30 this morning and said our good-byes we've relaxed and had fun comparing our preparations. We got lunch (ironically at a Chinese restaurant) and exchanged some money for Rupees. It's going to be strange getting used to the huge exchange rate ($1 is about 60 Rupees) and I got 1,000 rupees for only $18! Our flight is delayed an hour so we've been sitting in the terminal for a while. Right now I'm trying to catch up on the blogs of other exchange students and it's giving me a better idea of what my time in India will be like. Even so I am trying to not form a lot of expectations. Everyone has a different experience and I don't want to assume my time will be just like theirs. Speaking of other exchange students, I am so excited to meet the other students being hosted by the Pune district. Apparently there will be about 25 of us from all over the world! Although I know that I need to my best to make Indian friends I think it's a great opportunity to meet like-minded students from other countries around the world. They'll also be a great resource as we go through similar cultural adjustments. About a month ago my grandma, sister and I watched the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It's about a group of British retirees who move to India and their experience there. One of my favorite quotes that I've been thinking about ever since is something that Judi Dench's character says. About their new environment she says, "Initially you're overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it's like a wave. Resist, and you'll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you'll swim out the other side." This has become my mantra as I adjust to being away from my friends and family in a completely new country. There isn't any more I can do to prepare, I just need to let it happen. Next time I write I'll be in my new home country!
Namaste!
Elisabeth
With me on this amazing journey is Audrey Lauer and I'm so excited to share this incredible experience with her. Since we go to the airport at 11:30 this morning and said our good-byes we've relaxed and had fun comparing our preparations. We got lunch (ironically at a Chinese restaurant) and exchanged some money for Rupees. It's going to be strange getting used to the huge exchange rate ($1 is about 60 Rupees) and I got 1,000 rupees for only $18! Our flight is delayed an hour so we've been sitting in the terminal for a while. Right now I'm trying to catch up on the blogs of other exchange students and it's giving me a better idea of what my time in India will be like. Even so I am trying to not form a lot of expectations. Everyone has a different experience and I don't want to assume my time will be just like theirs. Speaking of other exchange students, I am so excited to meet the other students being hosted by the Pune district. Apparently there will be about 25 of us from all over the world! Although I know that I need to my best to make Indian friends I think it's a great opportunity to meet like-minded students from other countries around the world. They'll also be a great resource as we go through similar cultural adjustments. About a month ago my grandma, sister and I watched the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It's about a group of British retirees who move to India and their experience there. One of my favorite quotes that I've been thinking about ever since is something that Judi Dench's character says. About their new environment she says, "Initially you're overwhelmed. But gradually you realize it's like a wave. Resist, and you'll be knocked over. Dive into it, and you'll swim out the other side." This has become my mantra as I adjust to being away from my friends and family in a completely new country. There isn't any more I can do to prepare, I just need to let it happen. Next time I write I'll be in my new home country!
Namaste!
Elisabeth
