By Lily Beckerman, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Hi all! This is Lily again, writing from home this time after returning from Nepal. This experience was unlike any other in my life and it has grown me so much as a researcher and student! Networking in a foreign country for research connections, meeting other researchers, planning interviews, and hiring translation assistants gave me a fuller picture of what it actually means to be a researcher. Before this experience, what I knew about research was limited to a group and university setting. Being in Nepal and working on an independent project taught me how to take ownership (as well as when to ask for help), as well as how to adapt when things don’t go according to plan.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from my time in Nepal, though, was the importance of keeping an open mind and maintaining flexibility in research. Some topics I had planned to be a major focus didn’t quite pan out, while other parts I initially imagined to be smaller pieces became the stars of my project. Receiving wisdom from local scholars was something that helped me immensely and ultimately enriched the direction of my project. The overarching goal of my project was to investigate how residents across Nepal use different water sources, and how that use is influenced by spiritual and religious practice, and, particularly in Kathmandu, how these relationships are being affected by rapid urbanization. I quickly realized upon arriving in Nepal though, that this topic was infinitely broad, and ultimately decided to focus mainly on Hiti (traditional stone fountain) use in Patan, a historic city in Kathmandu valley.
In Patan, many residents use the Hiti system as their main water source, a system which has been in place for centuries. Their use has persisted even as piped water infrastructure has expanded throughout the city, making water readily accessible in many homes. What drew me into studying the the Hiti was hiti was the cultural and religious infrastructure which surrounds them, from caring for them during community workdays to rain-making festivals. These practices show how the relationship with the Hiti extends far beyond just obtaining water.
Had I had stuck only to my original research plan without any alterations, I would have missed out on the opportunity to study such a culturally rich system.
Learning to be adaptable in this aspect is a skill I will carry on with me and apply to future research as well as in my career.
One culture-shock I did experience on my trip though, was how soft-spoken and humble local scholars and experts were. Scholars I met with would often understate their experience and were always happy to share expertise and offer advice. This emphasized the value of humility to me, especially as a researcher conducting research in a cultural context different from my own..
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