Right now, I am getting cozy in a Moscow airport for my last layover before returning home. I have officially joined the flocks of sunburnt tourists sporting t-shirts and sandals, wincing at the biting chill of the airplane’s AC in preparation for the winter awaiting us at home. My final blog post seems as good a place as any to reflect on just some of what I’ve learned about traveling/generally being in the world.
Before going abroad, I often found myself hesitant to ask questions for fear of coming off as uninformed. However, living in India and traveling independently, you have no other choice but to admit that you do not know a lot of things (and believe me I did not and still do not know A LOT of things about living abroad) and ask the people around you about how you interact with new spaces (i.e. how/why spaces may be gendered, or even simply the unspoken etiquette for things like crossing the street or eating).
Over the course of this semester and my post program travel I have learned to be more comfortable asking questions and engaging with more people. This is a skill I would also like to translate over when participating in discussions surrounding socially relevant and significant topics such as inequalities/injustices and cultural differences.
When looking for a sampling of delicious local cuisine, avoid restaurants with indoor seating, extensive menu cards (or really any menu cards—the best food we had was often from a street food stand where the vendor sold one item and one item only [shrimp pad thai and egg hoppers maybe?]*
*Also ask restaurateurs and vendors what their favorite dish is! It’s the perfect opportunity for you to be adventurous and eat life changing food (see: grilled octopus on a skewer)
As you progress in your travel adventures, learn to become unattached to some of your possessions (you will lose something in one of the bajillion hostels you stay at, and to be honest it never hurts to lighten your load a little bit). Turns out you don’t need seven bottles of sunblock even though your mother insisted several months before “but you burn SO easily honey” (if you’re reading this Mom, I love you but I made it out with 2 bottles just fine)
I think out of all of these, the most important thing I’ve learned is to embrace challenges in a more productive and positive way. Nothing about adjusting to life in India was simple or easy (well except maybe enjoying the food), but through the challenges I faced, whether it was a language or cultural barrier, committing an unintentional social faux pas, or simply getting used to a new environment, I learned about my own resilience and ability to adapt to new places (and that is really cool!)
I wouldn’t trade this semester for anything. I feel grateful for all of these new and meaningful experiences, for tasting delicious food, for meeting some amazing people, and definitely have found appreciation for learning in new forms.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season!