Interview
What words would you use to describe your identity/identities?
I would say that I am an Indian-American woman and I am curious and interested in the world around me.
What motivated you to study abroad?
I chose to study abroad to get some perspective on my education. I was studying Spanish, and I realized that I wanted to test my skills in a real-world setting with Spanish speakers and also improve my Spanish skills in the process. It was also important for me to study abroad because I found myself becoming stuck in the routine of school life and performing poorly in my academics.
When you studied abroad, did your identity(ies) influence experience in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?
When I studied abroad I found that I did not stand out among the Chilean people in a way that the rest of my white-American peers did. Often, when I would travel or explore by myself, the Chileans would assume me to be a local and would charge me fairer prices rather than tourist ones. I also realized that because of speaking two other Indian languages besides English, I could speak Spanish without a strong American accent, which was important because it helped me avoid sounding too American and helped me fit in more easily.
And vice versa, when you studied abroad, did your experience influence your identity(ies) in significant and/or surprising ways? If so, how?
My experience did influence my identity in a lot of ways. I found myself thinking more openly and being more accepting. I was exposed to different lifestyles when I would meet travelers who were choosing to run blogs, online stores, or have a contract that included six months of vacation. These people inspired me to explore other routes after graduation or once I enter my professional career. My experience also gave me the confidence to be myself more because I realized that even in Chile people shared my sense of humor and understood my jokes.
Has studying abroad impacted your educational and/or professional aspirations or path? If so, how?
Studying abroad and interning with Microsoft showed me that I would be equally as comfortable working with a group of foreigners as with a group of Americans. I enjoyed my experience in a setting different than the United States, and I learned that some of the stereotypes about working in a Latin workplace are truer than others. I did find the people to be warmer, friendlier, and more eager to take care of one another in the workplace, however, on the other hand, I did not think that they were lazier than their American counterparts or less motivated. Interning with Microsoft showed me the philanthropy and social impact side of the business and made me realize the importance of technology in empowering vulnerable populations. Through this experience, I realized that even though my degree is not preparing me for a technical career, I can still use my marketing and Spanish skills to create impact in a country by giving people access to resources that can help them learn and progress.
What experiences or skills gained from studying abroad continue to influence your life now?
My experience with my host mom made me more willing to accept other lifestyles especially because I had to understand someone's values and ideals really intimately and be respectful of them. This experience made me less judgemental about other people's decisions and lifestyles and more empathetic. As a resident assistant this is really valuable because I can relate to my residents on their level and provide guidance for them. I also think that this is an important ability to have because it can help you work better in teams, and communicate to people with varying priorities.
In one sentence, tell students who identify similarly why studying abroad is a good idea, particularly for them.
It can be really important to step outside one's own daily life and experiences to gain an appreciation for another culture and lifestyles especially to understand the motivations of other people.
Share one of your favorite memories from your time abroad.
My favorite memory is the time I went to visit the Atacama desert. On the last day of my trip I found a hostel worker that I had met the night before, and we sat down and started talking. For a couple of hours, we sat in the shade, and we talked about everything from his favorite type of tourists and past jobs, to my American experience in Chile and speaking Spanish with a Chilean accent. It was relaxing and easy to sit and talk and we went where the conversation took us; in a couple of hours, we were laughing at our new inside jokes and making fun of one another as if we were age-old friends. I start smiling when I look back at the conversation because we laughed so much and it made me realize that we can all benefit from connecting a little more and sharing our time with others.
Want to get to know Jaagrit a little better? Read more in her blog! Jaagrit served as one of our Fall 2018 IDEA Correspondents.