I finished studying in New Zealand in the middle of November 2002. After spending so much time studying and learning about the rest of the world, it was finally time to venture out and see it for myself!

I saw the option of living and working in a developing country as giving me the unique opportunity to both travel and contribute something back to the country I was going to. I felt that the opportunity to spend an extended period of time in a country (in my case one year) would allow me to get a deeper understanding of the culture and way of life in that country, than if I were to travel there as a tourist.

While I was certainly apprehensive about my ability to adjust to living in a developing country, these feelings were far outweighed by my excitement over the challenges and new experiences that lay ahead.

Prior to leaving New Zealand I saw a Discovery documentary about the pollution problems In Delhi and the initiatives being undertaken to combat these problems. When I arrived in Delhi I was surprised to see clear blue sky - I had expected to see a city covered in a dusty brown haze! This was the first of many aspects of this country that were not as I had expected.

While there certainly are major differences between India and my home country, I did not experience the initial 'culture shock' that I had expected. I found the Indian people that I have met to generally have a good sense of humor and to be very welcoming and hospitable.

I believe it is important to combine academic study with some sort of practical involvement and action. My university education was in the areas of Women's Studies, Politics and Economics. I was also involved in student politics at my university through my involvement in the university women's group. A feature of the Centre for Social Research (CSR) that attracted me to this organization is that it adopts a similar philosophy - acting as an interface between academic inquiry and social action.

I have now been in India for three weeks. Although I have found the learning curve of adjusting to a new country a very steep one, it is an amazing feeling to leave your house in the morning knowing that you will surely experience something new during the day ahead.

While I could write for hours about my time in India so far, there is certainly no substitute to coming here, working for CSR and experiencing India for yourself!