My mindset before going to India!
By: Massiel Mileo Caballero
My Global Scholars Project is a product of my curiosity and desire to learn about individuals who are different from me however, it is also a personal endeavor to explore more of my culture and understand how systems have been adapted to accommodate the extremely diverse group of individuals I identify with. In exactly one week from now, I will begin my internship with an NGO in Ahmedabad that works to research and promote equitable education while ensuring high quality teaching. Individually, I will be working on a research project that investigates how teacher agency impacts the quality of education. To me, this is an opportunity to gain an understanding of an aspect of Indian culture and practice that I have never been able to grasp, as I grew up going to school in Tallahassee where I spent 13 years of my life at the same school with the same rules and regulations. I am beyond excited to observe the inner workings of India’s educational system, however I am also aware that learning takes place in both academic and more unorthodox settings.
Outside of the 48-hour work weeks in my internship, I want to accomplish one main goal: connect with people. To achieve this, I plan to do implement 3 core practices. The first is to learn from my family. Both of my parents immigrated to America in 2001, and both were among the first in their families to do so. As a result, a large portion of my direct and extended family lives in the state of Gujarat. My family in India spans 5 generations, from my great grandfather – who at the age of 94 knows 6 languages and is currently learning another – to my cousin’s daughter, who is just now learning to read. Their life experiences are all incredibly valuable and diverse. With them, they carry my history, my culture, and an understanding of who I am. They are also a window into the aspects of culture that I have missed out on while growing up in the states. My family that is still in school has powerful insight into my project and can help me to better understand both the research I’m pursuing for my global scholar’s project and the research I will do during my internship. The second practice I want to integrate into my experience is to meet as many new people as I possibly can. I am a firm believer that the most valuable knowledge ultimately stems from open-minded conversation. India is home to 2 billion people, around 2000 languages, and massive amounts of diversity. It is important to me that I recognize other people’s stories – no matter how different they are from others. Meeting all kinds of people is an opportunity to develop an accurate perception of the place I am going to be in. Finally, the third practice is one that is a little bit more hands on. I want to get better at speaking Gujarati. I never spoke the language growing up, and it has always made me feel like I wasn’t truly connected with my culture. Going to India will throw me into the deep end and immerse me in the local language. I will be able to strengthen my communication with my family, but it will also aid me within my project.
My grandfather in India! His name is Suresh Mehta and he grew up with 5 older sisters and a single mother. He worked to become a doctor to provide for his family and brought us to where we are today.
Secondly I want to build two skills during my project. I want to increase my adaptability and my problem-solving skills. The context of my project involves stepping into a role I have never been in, in a place I am not used to. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t incredibly nervous. I will be surrounded by people that are within their comfort zones and have a stronger understanding of what to do and how to do it. I hope that throughout my project, I will grow to be more malleable in my academic and career goals. I want to become someone who can look hardship in the eye unfazed. Furthermore, I want to increase my proficiency in problem-solving. A large aspect of my project is understanding an issue and learning how to mitigate it. I feel as though the skill may be one of the most important for me to build in terms of my future career. As a lawyer, it is important that one can fix mistakes, fill gaps, and reverse damage already done. This project will help me in terms of my professional development in that aspect as well.
I leave in four days and in order to sum up my feelings going into this experience, I would refer to a painting I viewed at the Rijks museum in Amsterdam early into summer. It was titled The Night School by Gerard Dou and pictures students studying within the darkness, illuminated by lamps. The painting is meant to convey the importance of an education. This is not necessarily how I feel about my upcoming trip, but it made me think about my expirence. I am terrified in all honesty. However, like all things that have frightened me in the past, I know that it will pass. The painting is significant because when I feel anxiety for things like this, I always end up trying to think about the value an experience can hold. For me, my project holds immense academic and cultural significance. Because yes, as it is long work, and may not be the most pleasant at times, it is incredibly important that I go due to the benefits in not just my own life, but for the children who will have access to a good education because of the project.
The Night School by Gerard Dou
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