Preparing for India

I can't believe the day is finally here! Tomorrow I set out on my journey to India where I will spend two weeks embracing a new culture and learning everything I can to become a better educator for my students. The journey to India is a long one. I depart Washington Dulles - IAD at 6:15pm for a flight to Paris - CDG where I will meet up with the rest of my India cohort. There we will all board our 8 and a half hour flight to Delhi together.

While the journey begins tomorrow, the preparation for this trip has been many months in the making. I have never had to prepare for a trip so much as I have this one to India. I received two vaccines (Hepatitis A and Typhoid) along with a visit to the clinic for an anti-malarial prescription. Additionally, I have had to purchase many other medications, clothing, etc. to help prevent illness and overheating while in India. I have been communicating via calls, webinars, and emails with our wonderful hosts who have worked tirelessly to make sure everything is in order for our arrival and time in India. While they have been planning our school visits, dinners, and other activities, I have been planning lessons and creating slide decks to share with my Indian counterparts and students there.

Some people have asked me recently what I am most looking forward to and what am I hoping to get out of this trip. There is so much to look forward to so it's hard to narrow it down to one thing. I can't wait to learn everything I can from my cohort, co-teachers, and kids in India. I can't wait to eat all kinds of authentic Indian dishes and try new things. However, the thing I'm looking forward to the most and the number one thing I hope to get out of this journey is perspective. I want to know how the Indian people interpret the world, Americans, and education. I want to learn all about the why, how, what of Indian culture and their viewpoint on it all. Simply put, I can't wait to learn everything I can about this beautiful culture, this amazing country, and its amazing people. Let the journey begin!