I am told that this stage of the trip is where ‘reality hits’. If this is meant to imply a decrease in enjoyment and appreciation of my daily experiences, it simply couldn’t be further from the truth. Having become comfortable with the more confronting aspects of the city (the traffic being the foremost amongst them),…Continue Reading Over and above
Interning in a Mental Health psychosocial rehabilitation facility for the past three weeks has been an incredible learning experience. I originally applied for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Mumbai as I wanted to learn about how Mental Health care operates in South Asia, particularly regarding how Mental Health workers navigate stigma and incorporate cultural knowledge….Continue Reading MANAV Foundation: Mental Health in Mumbai
Every day, as I sit on the train, looking out at the slums, train track welders, stray animals, crowds, skyscrapers, and never-ending sea of rubbish, I can’t help but think—this place can’t be real. The mixed scent of fragrant spices and fermenting sewage drifts through the air while the relentless horns, blaring party music, and…Continue Reading Mumbai: A confusing city where less is more
Today marks the halfway point of my internship here in Mumbai. Somehow, it still hasn’t clicked that I’m in India. I’m writing this while nestled into my plane seat destined for Rajasthan, vegetable biryani in hand – I could get used to this lifestyle! In this blog, I’ll be sharing how culture shock can quickly…Continue Reading Settling Into a New ‘Normal’
When I signed off my last blog post, I was at the airport heading to Ahmedabad for the weekend to attend a few wedding events. To say that a lot has happened in the last two weeks would be quite an understatement! To begin, Anna, Hayley and I had the most incredible weekend filled with…Continue Reading Week 2 & 3 in India!
Three weeks in Mumbai have felt like a lifetime. What started as culture shock has turned into familiarity—chaotic streets, honking traffic, and warm smiles now feel like home. My internship at Doctors for You has been eye-opening. No two days are the same, and our supervisor has crafted an incredible schedule exposing us to different…Continue Reading Beyond the Cave: Reflections from Mumbai
Settling in From the commute to interacting with locals, I finally feel like I am settling in! My work is about roughly a 20 minute walk away, it used to feel like an impossible task at first – with rickshaws and cars around every corner, but I am getting used to it and enjoying my…Continue Reading Feeling like a Mumbaikar
When I was shortlisted for an interview for the global internship programme, they asked me ‘Explain how your set of skills reflect those of a global ambassador.’ Naturally, I showed off my background giving back to my community, my strong cultural competency skills, and my love for Aotearoa and our people. However, these skills and…Continue Reading Mumbai Meri Jaan: A Place of Growth
As we reach the end of our third week in Mumbai, I can hardly believe that we’re already halfway through our time here. The last three weeks have flown by in a blur of new experiences, and I’ve truly been having the time of my life. The more I explore this city that has quickly…Continue Reading Cancel my return flight please
These last two weeks have been highly eye-opening in more ways than I could have imagined. I have officially completed 3-weeks of my public health internship for an NGO, Aastha Parivaar, which is an organisation for the sex worker population. Understanding the ins and outs of public health in one of the world’s most dynamic…Continue Reading The Ins and Outs of Public Health