experiance

[B.P.Ajmani]

How does one feel working in a different country amoung different people

[Pragya]

I have yet to start my placement but I have volunteered a few years back in Winnipeg in Canada. Initially one does feel out of place ( even after the host country people go out of their way to make you feel comfortable). I struggled with Canadian accent :) and the non- Indian food. Another thing that initially affects you is the kind of freedom one sees around. These things would remain weather one is there or not...... Being open and appreciative about the culture is the first step. & yes, politeness goes a long way in refusing things you are not comfortable doing. I would also say that it takes some amount of adjustment from our side to be happy and be productive in our work places. Arguments would be there ( I remember being in an argument about Indians being rude), disagreements would be there but the key is to agree to disagree

[B.P.Ajmani]

it is a new experiance for people who go out for the first time they get excited seeing the freedomenjoyed by the people abroad

[Sanjay Mishra]

Look, its much parts depends on person that in what way he/she takes tye volunteering, as we all know life is not a bed of roses. We all have to adjust/adapt new things everyday.So, volunteering just gives a chance to leran and share with others and know in what way other people are thinking are responding to the problems. Also it is helping in making symbiotic relations. We all find comfortable in the company/society where we live in, but living comfortably in a changes scenarion is entirely different.In former we get almost all things the way we like but in latter we have to compromise like culture, people's way of behaving and responding, natural adaptation, food habits etc. that is the newness we get to learn and respond.

[Jyothi]

mishraji, by the time we adjust our placement will be coming to an end

[Sanjay Mishra]

HHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAHHHHAAAAAAA, fir tumne nukko kar dia....but see that is part of life nothing is stable so how can be our placements? But despite all that working under presuure and adapting with change is the only way to sustain and swim amongst the sharks.

[Ranjana Bhattacharya]

Hi,
Sorry for a very belated comment but yes I am tempted to respond. After 8months of my placement in South Africa ( Port Elizabeth) I feel completely at home. Can you believe it? Personally I have made many many friends- Indians and South Africans both, as far as in Durban and Cape Town. Recently my family was here and we recieved an overwhelming response from all those I know here. I never had to spend on transport to any place locally for sightseeing and all that . There was always someone at my doorstep to take them wherever! Our stay at expensive beachfront hotels in Durban and CapeTown were arranged by my friends at dirtcheap prices. When we lost our way, as we were driving, a south african was always willing to show us the way irrespective of the distance. An Indian family in durban brought us a home made nice Indian dinner on our last evening there! Now I love the people here, they are so generous and kind , I have no words to explain. i only wish that I was a little more satisfied with my professional experience!

[Rashmi Madavi]

Getting into the different country is like a getting into a new world, where no one knows you and even you do not know any one …, people , roads , food , weather , season everything’s going to be new, it just feel like you are discovering a new world. You began to learn more about yourself, you struggle to mold yourself into new environment and into new situation; you start building a new relationship with the people around you. You have an opportunity to ask people to call you by name which you like… you have opportunity to change your life style … I am telling you ...the process of new change might be difficult but once you come to know your new roads and people ,the life becomes so easy… and then you feel good about it… finding a new way.. it boost your confidence and later on you feel that “ you are no more afraid to go anywhere, you would love to know more people and their culture. You find that your perspective getting broader and broader…. You start seeing and thinking differently…towards your life.
When you go to live in different country and among different culture people, you have to take two qualities with you and ….that is to be a flexible and adoptable.
Volunteering in different country is a wonderful opportunity to know the world across the river. Don’t be afraid… be open and learn as much as you can, no matter if the experience are positive or negative.. no matter opportunity is for short time or long time . Both are (needed) essential for growth in your life. That’s what I feel, I have spend 2 year in Namibia at first I didn’t have friends, was homesick but with time I made lot of friends who loved and care for me and made sure that my stay would be comfortable. I have made another home and still today sometime I miss them so much.

you can not change the world ..this is true but you can change yourself this is also a truth. living in different culture we can not change them but we can change ourself and give speace to them to know you.

[Rashmi Madavi]

this is a small " Mantra " that one of my friend told me when i was leaving for Africa, i just would like to share with you all. He said

Go to the people
Live with them
Learn from them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
Teach by showing learn by doing
No show piece but pattern
No odds and ends but system
Recognize potential
Reward responsibilities
So that when the work is done
And its time for you to leave
People will say

“We have done it ourselves”

[Srividya Krishnaswamy]

Lovely discussion! Thanks both as a first time applicant and a qualitative researcher - its most refreshing

[Sanjay Mishra]

Hi,
Sure, exploring the world is wonderful opprtunities. mainly one can know that how others think on the similar issues, thus providing a chance to share mutual ideas and converting in the fruitfuk manner.............