1st Week Reflection

Tess Raley I can't believe that we've been here for one week. In some ways it seems like it has been so much longer, and in others it seems like so much shorter! We have just departed from Hosur and are beginning our 7 hour trek back to Chennai. Since I have trouble expressing myself and my emotions in this blog, I figured a reflection was in order to keep track of the million thoughts floating through my head.


I do not think I could pinpoint a best or worst experience so far. Yet, I know that seeing all the aid-deprived children at the Siragu school has been the most important experience I have had. Seeing all of these sick children just tore me apart. With how much time I have spent dedicated to the health of those around me, I could not believe that there was nobody(not even a teacher or school nurse) that could be dedicated to their health and well-being. I decided to study World Health because of my Mother's condition. And I am passionate about the subject because of children like this who deserve so much better.


I started thinking about American views on India, and Indian views about America and I find myself speechless. Indians are so impressed by successful Americans and the concept of the American dream. Yet, compared to the obstacles these people are born into, I feel like I have been handed everything in this life. I worked hard throughout my k-12 education, but the amount I did would not have been enough for one of these children to get to where I am. Yet, when I told people of my trip to India, I got complaints and rants about outsourcing. This is a practice that I can no longer argue against. Because we don't have as many hardships as these people and we constantly have the ability to change our situation. Additionally, our government takes care of our unemployed and disabled citizens! Hard working people in India simply need and deserve these jobs much more than most Americans.

The thing I have come to love and appreciate most about India is the intense sense of community and culture. And when I return home that is definitely what I will miss the most. Things will all appear so differently on January 23rd. I am going to have to readjust to the insane price inflation in American pricing. And I will so miss the welcoming hospitality that you get on the street (and the insanely good coffee and tea you get in schools and homes)! It will also seem very cold, and like there are entirely too many white people around but that is no big deal. I will take back a sense of pride in what I have seen and experienced here, and turn that passion into a career.

I will take all of these experiences to evolve into a better daughter, sister, friend, student and one day be a better wife, mother and teacher outside of an educational setting than I ever could have been before.

Wherever you go here, there is a thought for the day. messages of love, justice, education, and peace are personified and given life. I will miss the harmonic balance these messages have constantly been bringing me, but I will treasure the two weeks I have left to absorb their purposes.

Thought of the Day:

Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first, the lesson afterward...