March 8, 2023

Time flies when you’re busy

This week has all of us working to finish our class projects: writing reports, working on and practicing our presentations, figuring out a script for a two-minute video, and figuring out how to effectively communicate our ideas and what we’ve learned. In the midst of that, we’re also packing up our laptops to make impromptu trips to the nearby coffee shop when the power goes out and the battery is about to die. We are taking a break from our laptops to go for a quick walk and grab a photo we need for that perfect slide and meeting with our organizations one more time to hand over the projects we’ve been working on for them and say thank you.

As the quarter draws to a close, I think it’s natural to reflect on our last ten weeks. Many things that once stood out to me now seem commonplace. I no longer have to force myself to look in the “wrong” direction for traffic before crossing a street. It’s normal to buy a coconut on the side of the road for a quick drink and a snack–- I’m gonna miss that. I’ve learned to be comfortable haggling for auto rides, and walking away when the driver wants ten times what it should cost. I’ve also started to become desensitized to some of the things that stuck out to me so much when I first got here. I no longer find the constant background noise as overwhelming. The garbage and litter on the side of the road doesn’t draw my attention like it did only a few weeks ago.

I’ve learned and practiced many different methods of brainstorming. I’ve learned a bit about interviewing – what works and what doesn’t. I’ve learned about many problems that are facing the residents of Bengaluru. And as I’ve tried to find ways to make an impact, I’ve discovered many of the things that make those problems difficult to solve. And now I start to wonder what comes next, beyond the opportunity to travel, beyond returning to the U.S, past even my last quarter at UW before I graduate. How can I take everything that I’ve learned over the last ten weeks and put it into use?

That’s a big question. And it’s one that will be different for each one of us. But I think it’s a question that will decide what we get out of our time here. Once back in the states, it would be easy to fall back into an old routine, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I think there’s a risk of forgetting some of the things we’ve learned. And that would be a loss. I don’t know how I will utilize the skills and perspective I’ve gained during my short time here, but I’m looking forward to figuring that out.

Coffee shop study session

By Jody