Fig 1: Menstruation Education for girls of Grades 4 and 5
Working or doing social service in a community that is new to you, is an entirely different experience from a study abroad program. Yes, both expose you to new cultures and give you a platform to evaluate your choices and live your life better. I say this because studying in the US for the past year has taught me a lot. Be it, regarding how the culture is so different from Dubai, where I grew up, or by showing me about different tastes and hobbies. However, as a north Indian, traveling to South India for the first time in my life, I realized very early in our trip that language was not the only barrier I was going to face.
Fig 2: Computer Programming class for teachers
I speak 5 languages - Hindi, Punjabi, English, Urdu, and basic Arabic. None of these were going to help me converse with the school students or the elderly members of the HIV+ community that I was going to be working with so closely. As a north Indian, I eat rice 1-2 times a week. In the village, I was eating rice 3 times a day. Whenever I’ve needed to research something for the past few years, I’ve become very used to “Googling” the answer in a minute. In the village, you had to ask 5 people for the same answer, but this time you could be sure that it was free of a discrepancy. Thus, apart from being prepared for electricity and water cut-outs, I have a few tips for a student wanting to become a BLUM Center fellow.
Fig 3: Surprise party for RISHI team at READ school
Try to learn some basic sentences. You could learn how to ask someone their name, age or birthday and be surprised at how fast they would begin to mingle with you. Try to practice their formal greeting styles for any time you meet community members. For instance, I learned to say “Vanakkam (hello)” while folding my hands and slightly bending. This brings a smile to everyone’s face a lot faster than a simple hello while waving your hand. Also, learn to speak slowly and use plenty of actions. Even if you speak English, it’s not going to make a difference. I’ve learned that you talk only for yourself, it is your actions and gestures that reach your community, both literally and metaphorically.
You should also try to be very flexible with your eating habits. It is not necessary that you are always going to be served something you like. Moreover, in many communities, such as the one I worked with, it is often rude to refuse a second helping or to not try all the dishes available. At the same time, it is crucial that you are selective and careful about some high-risk edibles like milk products, meat, and water. I know some people who like to carry electric kettles with them to boil their water or portable RO purifiers. But this isn’t really possible if you are out in the field and someone offers you lemonade. Similarly, try not to drink any and every glass of milk offered to you, especially if you have sensitive digestion. Sometimes it is okay to politely say no or make an excuse because it is essential to be realistic and know that in the field, getting medical attention is not that easy. And with an entire program lined out, you probably do not have the time to fall sick!
Lastly, as you plan your projects, make sure to think about your logistics well. Don’t forget to think about your transportation, printing and other such costs as you plan your budgeting for the grant. Try to keep at least 1 copy of your materials when you leave from Davis just because most of the time, Xerox is more accessible than connecting to the internet.
Comments
Post a Comment