Before coming to India I did not know what to expect, I had a few assumptions about what India would be like. So far in the short time I have been here some of those assumptions have been proven right while others have not. What has surprised me the most is how much I have learned and experienced in the past few days. Getting the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds has really opened my eyes to how diverse India is. It is amazing to learn and see how there is not a lot of separation between the rich and the poor. You can look down one street and see the slums(as they call it here in India) and higher class housing coinciding with one another.
It has also been interesting to hear and learn first hand how Indian women feel about their culture in terms of gender discrimination. Before our trip to India I read a lot about gender discrimination and how it is negatively affecting Indian women in the workplace. What was shocking to learn was that most of the Indian women I have met and spoken with have had a positive view on the situation. Listening to them talk was inspirational because they exuded strength, confidence, and power. They made it clear to us that many women in India are breaking through the "glass ceiling" by becoming political leaders, presidents of CEO companies, leaders in and out of the workforce as well as entrepreneurs. It was interesting to hear their views and opinions on this matter because a lot of what they had to say was the opposite of many of the pre-departure readings. One woman said "Women don't want to be considered lower than men, and we are proving that we are not more and more each day". So far our trip to India has been an eye opener and I am gaining a lot of insight on the culture and customs of India. I am excited to continue our educational journey to the next destination of Coimbatore.
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