After my studies I always wanted to go abroad, see the more of the world, work in another country, experience a foreign culture… and India seemed to be the most challenging and most diverse country to do an internship. I finally got my master in Business Administration in summer 2003 and wrote my final thesis about the process of sending personnel abroad regarding development aid. So there I was with all this theoretical background of how to prepare before going to a developing country, working and living in a foreign culture. Now, I was curious if this knowledge would help me overcome the culture shock. Would I have a culture shock at all? After I got selected and accepted for the development traineeship at AIESEC I was delighted on one hand and a little scared on the other hand. Having heard so many stories about India, people giving me ‘good advice’, reading a lot, I was even more curious how the real India would be. Of course, when I arrived everything was different to what I had expected. But after a while being here in India I can conclude: I LOVE MY INDIA. I started my traineeship at CSR in January 2004 and I will be here until end of April 2004. Although I didn’t follow the official AIESEC procedure, CSR gave me the opportunity to work on my own chosen project at CSR. I am very grateful for this opportunity and hopefully my contribution will be of use and interest for CSR. 5 months ago I arrived in Delhi and I have never thought that the time will pass so fast. Now I only have two more months left here in Delhi and at CSR before I am heading of for my 2 months travelling throughout India. Briefly, I want to describe the project I am working on. At the moment I am creating a questionnaire for all, former and current, trainees from abroad at CSR; asking them about their expectations before coming to India and joining CSR and also about their personal experience with CSR. The aim is to write a manual on how interns can prepare and what to expect before coming to CSR. Taking part in workshops, seminars, visiting street plays and counselling centres has helped me to understand the importance of the work that CSR does and also gave me an insight into how the grass root level works. Of course, there is always more to see and more to do, but for the time being at CSR, I already learned a lot. The working environment is relaxed and professional, my colleagues are helpful and understanding. They are always there when I have questions about work, Indian customs, Hindi movies or preparing Indian dishes. Their motivation and passion is a real inspiration. I also enjoy working with the other trainees who give me new insight in their culture and their lives. Being proactive, motivated and open minded are the essentials in working here in India. It is a different working culture and also a different life but an experience I would never want to miss.