Insights from a BYU Student in India

A woman spoke in my ward a few months ago who mentioned she has a son in India on a field study.  Her talk was rather brilliant, so at the end of the sacrament meeting I rushed up to front to thank her for her words.  We got on the topic of her son in India and she gave me his information.  The following are quotes (answers to my questions) from correspondences between her son and me over the past few weeks:


"Yes you can go running as much as you would like. I am a runner as well and I did go running, but it is getting really hot and I don't think it is healthy because your body heat gets way high from running and then there is no way to lower it back down so the whole day is miserable.  UP to you. My biggest advice is to just get out there and be adventurous. I know that sounds dumb, but if you just sit and sulk and don't really dig into the culture you will have a very surface experience. But if you just talk to random people and really try and "become indian" you will be richly rewarded. You have to go out of your comfort zone for sure. But it is worth it. Also don't try to reflect your ideas, opinions, or feelings on India. If you don't like something, just look past it and find the good. For example, many people are irritated by the way traffic works here, or the fact that people's personal space bubble is really small (you will find out on the bus how that is...) But I see it as amazing!!! I can walk out in the middle of traffic and walk across a crazy freeway in the middle of the day with thousands of cars around me and they all move out of my way (yes I do a little dodging) and I can get where I need to go with no problems. It would take forever in the states to get across some places trying to look for a cross walk etc but not here! Also with the personal space thing, I love getting to meet someone for the first time and talk for 5 minutes and at the end they give me a hug or something. Here is another example of not letting your past ideas get in the way. When I got here, I was freaked out alittle bit because men would start talking to me and would hold my hand when crossing the road or even just in normal walking or conversation. I thought this was a little weird coming from the US perspective, but as I just started to go with the flow, it became so natural and almost rewarding. You know who your friends are and they are always there to help you. Just let go of past reasoning and allow the Indian feel to come" (personal communication, March 27, 2012).

Here were my questions to him in one email on March 28, 2012:

1. How do I go about getting an internet stick?
2. Can I go running by myself, or do I have to have someone come with me?
3. Who do you live with? 
4. How are the mosquitos?  Do you wear repellent everyday?

He responded on March 29, 2012 with excellent answers:

1. When you get here just go find a "reliance store" which is like verizon or at&t and provides internet. You pay for the stick and then pay a monthly fee or a download fee. For example - you get 500 megabytes for 10 dollars or something. When you run out, you put more on. Depending on how much you want internet, it would get at least one gig or more if you are skyping often.
2. Up to you. I feel completely safe here, but I am also a boy. There is a girl here who goes out walking by herself all the time. I think you should be fine. Just stay in well lit areas and don't go too far. Just know where you are at all times. But seriously you will be safe. People will  say inappropriate things to you at times, but they never really "threaten you."
3. I live with some other american students with an indian family who cooks for us and stuff. I have a translator who is here and stuff. Indian hospitalitiy is AMAZING so I wouldn't worry about it. Just be willing ot learn their language and try and connect with the family. Buying small gifts when you travel or if you see something they might like, it is nice to give small gifts at times.
4. Mosquitos depend where you are. I just put some repellant on at night right before I go to bed because I don't like it when I sleep and wake up with tons of bites. But I don't get bit during the day. It is fine. It really isn't as bad as you think. People make India seem so dirty, hot, and horrible. It is actually beautiful and wonderful, once again you just have to look past the garbage and different standards of the people.

It was extremely comforting to hear from this young man and get a glimpse of my future.  We're hoping to meet up when he returns so he can further prepare me in person for what I'm about to experience.  Even though I felt a little embarrassed about asking for her son's email, and even more embarrassed about actually emailing this person I'd never met, it was definitely worth it.  It was comforting too to discover that this person I'd never met--this stranger--was so willing to indulge my questions in such a detailed way and in a timely manner.  Overall, it was a great experience.