Steph K. Jan. 8

Tuesday was a jam-packed day full of culturally shocking experiences. In terms of women and leadership, I learned a lot today. We were surrounded by women who have had the opportunity to access higher education, so obviously whatever they told me is from that perspective, rather than that of the common female. We met several students, whom we asked questions about their experiences at Somaiya University. I personally asked questions about how they feel in classroom settings with ratios like 3/10 females to males in the management school and 1/10 in the engineering school, and also about the competitiveness among genders and about their personal support nets. In general, they told me that they are happy to have the opportunity of higher education and do not feel uncomfortable male-dominated classrooms, but rather privileged. They also told me that there is not much competition among the genders in the university setting, but it becomes more competitive once they reach the career level and finding employment.

We then had the opportunity to panel 5 female faculty members on their experiences as female leaders. During this time I came to an important realization. I was previously under the impression that women here were unsatisfied with the trouble of balancing family with careers. However, the faculty members told me that they are proud of the fact that these days they can raise a family and manage a career even if it means taking a few years off of work. My reaction to that would be “why can’t the husband do that,” but theirs is “I wouldn’t want anyone else taking care of my child…and why miss out on that experience anyway?” When you look at life in less strict chronological terms it is understandable that a few years off of work can’t compare to the first few years of your child’s life.