I am inside an ambulance station at the Max Healthcare hospital. I got to speak with the EMT and paramedic. We discussed the similarities and differences between being in EMS in America and in India.

Today is September 11th. I have been home from India for about a week now. Being home after nearly five weeks abroad has been an unexpected adjustment for myself. Reverse cultural shock is very real. I miss the dopamine from seeing new sights, doing new things, and meeting new people. Five weeks was not nearly enough! It feels very uncomfortable to be marinated in mundanity at home. I will return to school and volunteering at the fire department soon so the excitement will be seasoned back into my life shortly. I believe I accomplished all my goals while abroad. I wanted to make sure I took every opportunity that presented itself to me, learn everything, and have fun. I am happy I maintained a positive and grateful attitude the entire time abroad, so I could focus on making the most out of my study abroad experiences. I have proven to myself that I am a very adaptable person. In fact, I flourish in adaption. I have learned how to communicate in situations with great language barriers. I know how to expertly use public transportation systems. I have experienced the strong connections between food and culture. Most importantly, I have made connections with so many lovely people during my journey. I feel a great sense of accomplishment for having traveled halfway across the world. Travel is so important to me. I am glad I traveled with an educational context. I do not think I would get the same benefits and opportunities if I traveled purely as a tourist. I was granted access to a part of India never typically seen by tourists. I got to visit homes, had the guidance of a local, and had the educational structure to make the most of each day. I wish I could have this structure for all my future travels. I learned the importance of community when I visited the women at Alwar. We really have to do our part for those around us to try to improve the lives of us all. India also taught me to be more curious and invested about learning the local culture. People are eager to answer questions and invite you to share culture. One thing India showed me about America is how beautifully diverse America’s people are. India is not nearly as diverse as America. I love the fact that there are people all over the world who come to America. I love talking and learning with my fellow classmates from different cultures. Travel and culture are so beneficial to a person’s creativity and critical thinking. It allows a person to learn new ways of thinking, communicating, and development. My advice for future study abroad students: learn everything you can about your host culture, do not be shy about asking questions, and be patient with yourself and others. Knowledge is power and thus when you learn about your host culture, you become more immersed and active. Locals will be excited that you’re curious and want to know more. They will give insight you cannot get on your own. Be patient with everyone because things usually do not work out the way you think. I always approach a problem as a fun adventure. It always best to have a good and playful attitude not only while you travel but also in day-to-day life. I’m looking forward to using my experiences in my next travels and adventures.