Four Weeks in Bangalore

After the first week's travels, I headed to Bangalore to take classes at Christ University. Contemporary Politics and Globalization and Innovation were the two classes I took. Globalization and Innovation, taught by UA professor, Dr. Milburn, was my favorite class. This class exposed me to civil engineering in other countries and the challenges associated with it. Before this study abroad experience I never thought I would use my engineering skills in foreign markets, but now the possibility of it intrigues me. It also opened up my eyes to the benefits of being a multinational company and utilizing outsourcing to reduce costs. Part of the Global Indian experience included visiting multinational companies Bharti-Walmart, Hewlett-Packard, Infosys and TVS. At those companies, I was able to learn how they do business and barriers that they overcome while serving many nations.

While studying at Christ University, I learned about the academic ways of Indian schools. Professors hold a very honorable position in India. Students are expected to stand and welcome professors at the beginning of class. Professors typically also expect a lot out of their students. I wish that I could've taken classes with Indian students to see what it was like, but the Indian school calendar doesn't coincide with the American summer break schedule. I wish I could've gotten a true Indian classroom experience. The normal, morning class coffee and donut routine is not permitted in India. Only water may be brought into the building, unless mischievous people like myself sneak goodies in their bags. Cell phones must remain off in the buildings, and laptops may not be used in class.

Outside of class, I've learned so much about the Indian culture and how it differs from mine. I travelled to a village outside of Bangalore to see the work that the Center for Student Action of Christ University has accomplished. The village visit exposed me to the life lived by approximately 70% of the country and has made me appreciate the US infrastructure tremendously. Village living is simple, and it lacks many community basics including hospitals and strong educational systems.  I visited a school where children greeted me like a celebrity. I gave them coloring books and chocolate, but they were interested in their visitors more than the gifts. This was by far the most rewarding part of this study abroad experience.

Daily life here is almost the opposite of living at home. India is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The food, transportation and living conditions in the city all contribute to India's culture. The way I am treated here is also unlike anything I've ever experienced.

Cost of Living

Since the dollar's value is so high, spending Indian rupees is like spending spare change. Food, transpiration, and basic necessities are relatively cheap compared to American prices. I bought a ten inch high stack of Oreos and Minute Maid apple juice for $0.80. Buying Indian food is much cheaper than that. There was a vegetarian place near my apartment where I could buy a full meal with leftovers to take to the apartment for $0.60.

Indian Cuisine

Indian food alone doesn't constitute an Indian eating environment. A typical experience in an Indian restaurant goes like this: A group of four people walk into a restaurant. They all go to the back of the restaurant and wash their hands at a wash station. They sit down and are given one menu to share. After ordering and receiving their food, they dig into their dishes with their right hands. No matter the dish, whether it's rice, soup, or meat, they use their right hands or an Indian bread like naan to scoop up the food and eat it. They will not use their left hands because they are considered unsanitary for bathroom reasons. After receiving the bill, they split it up evenly and pay with cash. The combination of the bill is beneficial for people who order a lot of food, sodas and desserts, but it's a loss for those who drink water and limit their dishes. After splitting the bill the Indian way multiple times, I realized I like the American way best. Plus, in the US I typically don't carry cash, so splitting a bill the Indian way would be nearly impossible on the same ticket. I'm also ready to get back to non-spicy food. Dining options include Indian, Chinese, Italian and American. Indian food is the cheapest so I usually ate that, but its spiciness made me perspire. I used my favorite bread, paratha, to cool my mouth while eating. I will miss being able to buy a full meal for less than $1.00, but I'm ready to get back to eating beef too.

Transportation

Transportation in Bangalore was certainly an adventure and just as cheap as the food. The way that people drive would make one think that there were no laws governing the road. Drivers swerve into oncoming traffic regularly, people don't follow any lane markings, and horn usage is deafening. Auto-rickshaws are my favorite form of transportation. They are small cars without windows or doors. Rickshaws offer an inexpensive and convenient form of transportation in the busy Bangalore. A forty-five minute ride across town costs less than $4.00, but that's only if I agree upon a price before hiring the driver or having the driver use the meter. Many drivers would see my white skin, assume I didn’t know what I was doing, and try to charge 300 rupees for a trip that should only cost 60 rupees. I knew better than that though thanks to Bryan's warnings.

Living Conditions

Upon arrival in Bangalore, India, I moved into my dingy apartment. My first thoughts after seeing the apartment were that it needed to be thoroughly cleaned. When Dr. Milburn saw my bathroom, she asked why there was a garden hose running through the middle of it. I figured out later that it led to a washer. My roommate Kimberly and I made a list of things we needed to buy for the apartment the next day. Cleaning supplies were on the top of our list. The following day, we made our way to the Big Bazaar, which is like a small Wal-Mart. It took us an hour just to find a few things on our list since we didn't know where anything was in the store. I felt so lost. After collecting our cleaning supplies, we checked out in the handicapped line on accident. In India, stores charge extra money for a plastic bag to carry purchases. Since the apartment was so far from our apartment, we hired an auto rickshaw driver to take us back to the apartment. After cleaning my new place, it felt much more like home. I'm finally settled in, and I've unpacked my suitcase. My living conditions in India don't compare to those I have on the beautiful University of Arkansas campus. The windows have to be kept closed to keep bugs and the Indian smell outside. This experience has made me realize that I have a very nice life in the United States and that the crappiest of dorms are very nice to Indian standards. This has also made me realize my hate for rats, especially when they are in my room. The program director, Jacob John, said that National Games Village will no longer house future USAC students.

City Life

Without trashcans available on the streets, trash consumes the sidewalks. Cows, dogs, and rats are always searching the piles of trash for food remains. I have to step over or around trash on a daily basis. When cows aren't shuffling through trash, they can be found in the middle of many streets. Vehicles honk as they pass by, but the cows never flinch. A driver convicted of hitting a cow on the streets can be fined and sent to jail. I have learned that India has many areas that could use improvement. India is a growing country that needs a more developed government, one that doesn't accept bribes and one that its citizens will respect. In India, similarities to the western way of life are visible. It's possible that the ways of the west will eventually constitute the way of life for Indians.

Basic necessities in India are just as cheap as the food and transportation as long as I stay off of the touristy streets. A pair of pants can be bargained down to $3.00, but the original price can be as high as $10.00. If I'm not happy with a price, I start walking away. That's usually what got the store owners to give me the price I like. I offered $50 for a $200 rug, and the store owner eventually accepted. The other students on the Global India trip called me the "Queen of Bargaining."

White Woman in Indian Land

I felt like a celebrity trying to tour India. On an average touring day, I was asked to take at least ten photos with random Indians. If I agreed to take one picture, people would crowd around asking if they could pose for more pictures with me. Bystanders who didn't know the other Indians in pictures would snap photos too. Even going about my day-to-day activities, I would notice people filming and photographing me. The rest of the group experienced the same thing. Small children would often approach me with an outstretched hand initiating a handshake. At first, I wondered why people were so fascinated with white people, but then I realized the lack of cultural diversity in India. For the first two weeks I was here, I only saw two white people.