March 8, 2024

The End

When trying to reflect, my mind goes to cliches to find a simple way to summarize the last 10 weeks. But this is impossible. No one metaphor or theme can accurately characterize our time in India. We all had different experiences and learned different things either through our work or about ourselves. Throughout the 10 weeks, we all had high points and lows and made relationships with new people. Even though these blogs are in a large part written for those back home, it is hard to explain what is truly happening and how we are truly feeling. It is hard for me to even try and articulate how I’m feeling now. There’s no way to describe the small cultural difference or experiences that make this place and this trip unique. No pictures that encapsulate the little moments we’ll eventually forget. This frustration will continue as family and friends ask us about our time in India, and we struggle to come up with a gratifying response. Or as you want to share about your experience but feel that starting another sentence with, “When I was in India,” will only end in groans. So I won’t try to minimize our experience into one soundbite. I’ll leave it for each of us to think about and to try and remember the details as best we can. Instead, I’ll try and imagine going home.

When we return to Seattle, everyone will be excited about the prospect of spring: the cherry blossoms blooming, the sun coming out for longer each day, and the first swim in the cut. Coming home might be overwhelming and emotional. Facing the things we’ve missed while feeling so removed from the places, people, and topics that we’ve become so familiar with. We’ll find comfort in loved ones, a break from the hot Bangalore sun, a nice shower, putting on our favorite hoody, eating our favorite meal and using a laundry machine. Trying to reflect on what we’ve done while moving forward in life. This feeling might also be unexplainable.

I’m not sure what the main take away of this program was or what my #1 memory was. I just know that the 10 weeks are over; it’s time to pack up and go home, and we should try to bring every detail back with us. Some of us may have very little answers now, or some may have discovered themselves, their life purpose, and a hidden passion, but I’m grateful for every minute I had and welcome the uncertainty with hope and curiosity.

By Lucy