Tag Archives: India

(Re)Visit: India

At Cultural Vistas, immersive international experiences are everything; even after they’re over, we continue to learn from them. While new international experiences are not possible right now, we can still learn from our past experiences abroad. Over the next two weeks, Cultural Vistas will be sharing photos from our alumni through our (Re)Visit series. Each day, we will focus on a different country or U.S. state that transformed them. These photos stay the same, but our perspectives continue to change. Thank you to our alumni for allowing us to highlight their stunning photography. We hope these photos inspire you to…

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How I Experienced the Five Senses of India

Coming to India for the Cultural Vistas Fellowship was my first major international trip, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was a little nervous about living on the other side of the world. But a while ago, I learned a handy tactic for calming my nerves when I start to feel overwhelmed. You take a few breaths, then run down the five senses – sight, smell, taste, sound, and feel – and mentally list everything you’re experiencing in that moment. The exercise forces me to shift focus and, if only for a few minutes, center myself in…

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Why I Didn’t Experience Culture Shock in India

Culture Shock: the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes. This is what I thought I would experience when I arrived in India for a summer internship as a Cultural Vistas Fellow. What I found instead was a culture that, shockingly, seemed familiar. Let me explain: I had never traveled to India before, but I had traveled to Mexico. To my surprise, I realized there’s a great likeness in Mexican, Mexican American, and Indian cultures. Three different cultures that are on opposite sides of the world have more in…

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What It’s Like to Intern in India

Interning in a country overseas, such as India, sounds exciting. But what is an Indian internship really like? Our Cultural Vistas Fellows in Bangalore are sharing their insights on their internship placements in real-time. Cynthia, Molly, Isabel, and Brenda, are interning for the Habitat for Humanity India Trust, the Selco Foundation, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, and the Akshaya Patra Foundation. Read about their experiences in their own words. Cynthia’s Internship at Habitat for Humanity Cynthia Rann Albright College, International Business Internship Host: Habitat for Humanity India Trust Habitat for Humanity India Trust is a non-governmental organization that focuses on disaster relief, building homes,…

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