by Holly Stokes

Highlights from my Global Experience

Some of my highlights from the past 6 weeks in India are:

Taj Mahal

Visiting one of the 7 wonders of the world was truly an experience that I will never forget. Our tour guide led us around and we learnt so much about the mausoleum. We even went inside and could see the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and her husband, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Sheroes Hangout

We had lunch in Agra at a nonprofit café called “Sheroes Hangout”. It is the only café in the world run by acid attack victims. The cafe’s aim is to increase awareness and allow women to find acceptance and community. It was very moving to read the women’s stories and to be educated on the struggles that they have faced.

Isha Yoga Foundation

We spent 3 nights at the Isha Yoga Foundation in Coimbatore where the famous Adiyogi Shiva statue (34m high) is located. Here we learnt about human empowerment and social revitalisation through the practice of yoga and meditation.

My biggest challenge

A huge challenge for myself was being out of my routine, which taught me how to adapt. Over my weeks in India, I learnt how to adapt to a different time zone, different environment, group dynamics and the heat. Another challenge was coping with burnout. I learnt how to pick up the early signs of when I was burning out and now know what I can do when travelling for my body and mind to continue to thrive.

What I have learned from this experience

I have learnt how to understand and respect different cultures and religions. This newfound cultural awareness and sensitivity will be very important in my career working in the field of psychology and sociology. I have gained greater knowledge about other cultures and have experienced what it is like to live in a community other than my own. I have learnt about cultural competency and cultural sensitivity and have a greater appreciation for it. This programme has helped me to break down cultural barriers and has taught me respect for differences in opinions, values and attitudes of people in a differing culture.