I think that I have been delaying this blog post as long as possible. Maybe it is because I am in denial that it will be my last entry before I leave this country. Maybe it is because the impending cold weather has made me lazy. Maybe it is just because I have been bogged down with work during finals week.
Likely, though, it is because I have come to the firm conviction that there is only so much you can say about a place like India. You can read or write all about it, but for all intensive purposes it is a place that must be experienced first-hand if it is to be known at all.
Up until this point I have tried through this blog to give an accurate depiction of what life will be like in Delhi for the prospective traveller. I have also tried to keep a sort of travel log for those close to me at home. And above all, I have tried to be as convincing as possible for any prospective student with even an inkling of interest in India to take the leap.
Just do it – it will be the best choice of your life. If you are wavering in your decision (as I was), then it may help to scroll through some blog posts by me or Meridel (http://blogs.iesabroad.org/author/mphill15u-rochester-edu/). If the trip looks at all appealing, then, I cannot reiterate this enough, simply go for it. The decision is the hardest part.
India will open your eyes to the existence of a world you did not think possible. You will be made uncomfortable, and then you will feel strangely at home. You will see things, both beautiful and tragic, that will strike directly to your core. You will travel all around a country of 1.2 billion people and realize just how big this world is.
And most importantly, you will grow. Your perception will change, you will realize things about yourself and about the world that are invaluable life lessons, and you will come out at the end a new person. My journey here is over, but I will bring home with me some of the most amazing experiences and friendships I have formed to date as a token of remembrance.
And now it is time for me to move on to the next phase of the journey. Naturally I am stretching my return out as long as possible. Once the program ends I will be trekking through the Himalayas, travelling around Europe, living with my brother in New York, and then finally returning home to sunny California in time for Christmas.
I want to thank all the IES staff for being so supportive throughout this experience, all the students for being some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and my mother for boosting my popularity by commenting on every single one of my blog posts. Next entry, I will be back in America. Until then, Namaste, and here is one last monkey picture.
Monkey Temple, Jaipur