Recently I've realized that I am actually going through culture shock. For me it takes the form of comparing everything to how it would be in Sweden. I hadn't noticed that I did it until one of my local friends comented on it. I think I started after spending two days in bed with food poisoning. At that point I really missed being at home in my comfortable bed. Another part of it is that the differences in wealth is starting to get to me a bit. I am used to in general but there are moments when it does get me down.
Now that it's starting to sink in that it's actually Christmas today I do wish I was home. This being my favorite day of the year it feels strange to not be there. Fortunatley there will be a big bbq tonight with all the interns and AIESECers. This will cheer me up for sure. Some other good news is that everything's finally prepared for the vacation in Goa. Four consecutive days of vacation and partying is going to be heavenly. Can't wait to get there and see what all the fuss is about ;)
Now we're off to church for a couple of hours of jazz and carols before heading for dinner and partying. For everyone at home or wherever you might be:
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
24.12.07
LCP elections in AIESEC Hyderabad
This Sunday I was helping out at the LCP (Local Committee President) elections as Returning officer. Basically I was there to help with the voting as an impartial partie. Generally the procedure was quite similar to the one we have in AIESEC SU/KTH. Speech - Q&A - Open debate (non @ topics) - Closing speech - Voting - Anouncement. The differences that stood out most was how formal it was. Everyone was in formals and the compendium was recited it full and also followed to the letter.
It was very interresting to hear the candidates talking and being able to compare it to the situation in Sweden. In many aspects they're facing similar problems as we. Among this how to make it easier for the members to have a balance between school and AIESEC. Especially since this is a main reason for drop outs. Retention of members is an issue that I think is valid in a lot of countries as well as the issue of making the LC grow in a good way. One issue here that I can really relate to from my time in @ in Sweden is the balance between incoming exchange and outgoing exchange. Here the focus seems to be shifting to ogx for next year just as we've done as well for this year. Even though they have a lot of applicants here they still have the problem of finding the really good members.
On the other hand there are differences in issues as well. One seems to be the amount of international exposure the members get. Since they have a problem with members and interns not socializing very much and few members going on conferences abroad the exposure isn't very high. Hopefully I'll be able to help out a bit in this area, specially since we in Sweden are so good at precisely this! :)
As for the panel discussion some of the topics were how they see Indias future in the light of the fact that it has a very young population (about 50% under 24 I think it was) and also that a lot of the most talented people move abroad. Another topic was how India could capitalize on the fact that the western world is starting to take more and more influences from the east. Very intersting to hear the discussions!
It was very interresting to hear the candidates talking and being able to compare it to the situation in Sweden. In many aspects they're facing similar problems as we. Among this how to make it easier for the members to have a balance between school and AIESEC. Especially since this is a main reason for drop outs. Retention of members is an issue that I think is valid in a lot of countries as well as the issue of making the LC grow in a good way. One issue here that I can really relate to from my time in @ in Sweden is the balance between incoming exchange and outgoing exchange. Here the focus seems to be shifting to ogx for next year just as we've done as well for this year. Even though they have a lot of applicants here they still have the problem of finding the really good members.
On the other hand there are differences in issues as well. One seems to be the amount of international exposure the members get. Since they have a problem with members and interns not socializing very much and few members going on conferences abroad the exposure isn't very high. Hopefully I'll be able to help out a bit in this area, specially since we in Sweden are so good at precisely this! :)
As for the panel discussion some of the topics were how they see Indias future in the light of the fact that it has a very young population (about 50% under 24 I think it was) and also that a lot of the most talented people move abroad. Another topic was how India could capitalize on the fact that the western world is starting to take more and more influences from the east. Very intersting to hear the discussions!
As an opposite to the procedings being more formal the anouncement and everything following was a lot less than in Sweden. One of the traditions is to get the candidates drunk even before the anouncment itself. When we in Sweden pour water to indicate the winner they're pouring beer, a lot of it, over the person. And they really do it properly. Noone is happy until there's not a single dry spot on him. Interesting as well since alcohol is very expensive here. Fun to watch though :) After this most people went out to have dinner and continue celebrating. I had to miss this unfortunatley but I'll give an update when I got one.
In conclusion, a very interresting evening. And finally, congratulations to Aditya Soma, new LCP of AIESEC Hyderabad!!
17.12.07
The tourist experience
This weekend I really got the feeling of being a tourist in this city. On Wednesday me and Kasia we're doing some proper sightseeing, going to Charminar (total waste of money to go in) and to Golconda fort. Golconda was absolutely amazing. So beatiful...and big! But being the only white people in the entire place soon made us feel like animals in a zoo. I thought I had got used to the staring but I was definently mistaken. Actually it started in the morning with going on the bus. As we usually take the bus to work we thought it would be the same. But as we weren't wearing suits and instead casuals with sunglasses and cameras the experience was completely different. The conductor explained every detail of traveling by bus to us and litterally pulled people of their seats so we could sit. Felt very odd.
Anyway...back to the fort. Walking around there, we weren't left alone for a moment. Everyone wanted pictures with us or to shake our hand or something of the sort. The staring was really so much worse than usuall. It felt like we were the main attraction and not the fort.
After a while we actually went and hid a room in the ruins were we couldn't be seen by anyone taking the normal route through the ruins. All just to get a breather and talk for a bit without anyone disturbing. All in all it was the most exhausting experience so far. We really had to work hard to try to blend in somehow and to not accidentally look at anyone....then you're definently stuck for a while.
Other than this, I've been out quite a lot in the evenings lately and it just gets more and more fun. The club scene isn't very big here and you keep running into pretty much the same people. This makes me feel like I've been here for a longer time than I actually have.
Another great thing that's in the making, is planning for New Years in Goa. So far we've got the tickets to get there and all we need now is a place to stay, which should be solved pretty soon (hopefully atleast ;)) In any case I'm sure it'll be great!
Anyway...back to the fort. Walking around there, we weren't left alone for a moment. Everyone wanted pictures with us or to shake our hand or something of the sort. The staring was really so much worse than usuall. It felt like we were the main attraction and not the fort.
After a while we actually went and hid a room in the ruins were we couldn't be seen by anyone taking the normal route through the ruins. All just to get a breather and talk for a bit without anyone disturbing. All in all it was the most exhausting experience so far. We really had to work hard to try to blend in somehow and to not accidentally look at anyone....then you're definently stuck for a while.
Other than this, I've been out quite a lot in the evenings lately and it just gets more and more fun. The club scene isn't very big here and you keep running into pretty much the same people. This makes me feel like I've been here for a longer time than I actually have.
Another great thing that's in the making, is planning for New Years in Goa. So far we've got the tickets to get there and all we need now is a place to stay, which should be solved pretty soon (hopefully atleast ;)) In any case I'm sure it'll be great!
13.12.07
The first week in India
It's only been a bit longer than a week but it feels like a month atleast, so much has happened.
During last week the local AIESEC office organized somethings called Mystic India.
It started with a movie in a trainee flat. The movie was called Rang de Basanti and was really good!! Recomended for sure! The week followed with a trip to a Buddah statue on an island and great kebab on the Tursday and sightseeing on Saturday. Most of the sightseeing we couldn't attend because of work but atleast we managed to join the trip to the Secret Lake and join in some good partying.
During last week the local AIESEC office organized somethings called Mystic India.
It started with a movie in a trainee flat. The movie was called Rang de Basanti and was really good!! Recomended for sure! The week followed with a trip to a Buddah statue on an island and great kebab on the Tursday and sightseeing on Saturday. Most of the sightseeing we couldn't attend because of work but atleast we managed to join the trip to the Secret Lake and join in some good partying.
The Buddah statue
At the Secret Lake with some interns and AIESECers
On friday we were out as well. We went to dance some salsa but unfortunatley the quality of the salsa places here are nowhere near that of Stockholm. The nightlife is in general very different from Stockholm. For one, the mix of men and women. Here there's about 80 percent men everywhere you go out and for them it's really expensive. For women on the other hand we very often have no entry and free drinks. I guess many wouldn't be botherd to come at all otherwise.
The same thing is happening on the busses. Very few women and you have your own entrance. As well the buss usually stops and waits for women. Overall this is a very good country to be a woman in in the sense that everyone is very respectfull and it feels very safe to get around. And yes...I do take the bus both to and from work! The thought of that being sooo hard is definently exadurated. So far there hasn't been a problem. A bit uncomfortable in rushhour but otherwise fine. Sometimes it's much easier than taking an auto (ricksha, tuk-tuk) home since those can be really hard to find in rushhour.
In the end of last week I got a feeling of the burocracy in this country. I was applying for residence permit.Thankfully I had help and company from Anantha from the local AIESEC office. First on wednesday it took a an hour or two of waiting just to get in and get the paper to sign. The next day we spend practically the entire day waiting. The procedure was pretty much wait an hour, get a signature, wait another hour and so forth. Atleast when they had lunch we had an opportunity to get out and walk (and try to get something to eat). All we found were shops, shops and...Charminar! We had a quick look around but we still needed to get back to the police station. Were we waited some more. Atleast, in the end, I got my residence permit! :)
Shopping around Charminar and the building itself (above)
So far I would say the hardest things to get used to here is the airpollution. After half an hour outside you can fell your skin and lungs covered in it. Not a very nice feeling. Apparantly it's very common to get a cold when you first get here as a reaction to it but so far I've been spared. And I do already have a craving for a proper steak...so soon! I was hoping it would take a few more months atleast. Well well...what can you do.
That's all for now folks =) Enjoy Sweden for me as well!
4.12.07
Arriving in Hyderabad
My first blog entry...what a landmark!
After a very pleasant journey (had two seats on the long flight and business class on the last one) I finall arrived in Hyderabad, India. My first impresison was that it was very calm and very few people (this was 4 in the morning after all ;)) For some reason it reminded me of Portugal. Really couldn't tell you why though.
The first day was very busy. After having a quick shower and a short nap we headed out to an event that AIESEC was organizing called Balakalakaar. It was held in the public gardens in Hyderabad. The event was held for about 3000 underprivileged children from the city. The day was for them to have a day of creativity with drawing and entertainment. As a result of the day around 50 children got scholarships to go to art school. It felt really great to be a part of setting it up. Even if it was only putting up decorations and packing bags with things to give them. The children were so friendly and happy to be there. The day was really amazing despite the lack of sleep. ( I blame the great selection of inflight movies ;))
Monday mostly went by waiting for my luggage to be moved to the trainee flat and exchanging money. But still it was nice to get settled in. I'm sharing my flat with six others from different parts of the world. Thankfully we have three bathrooms to share, so no problems in that department atleast :)
And today is my first day at work with Tvarita Consulting. So far everyone seemes very nice and I'm just waiting to get started...and for my lunch Biryani to arrive.
And in my oppinion the talk of that everyone always becomes overwhelmed by the amount of people, the traffic, the smells and so forth seems exadurated. Maybe it's just the first exitement so far but to conclude this, my first experience of Hyderabad has been really positive. I like the country even more than I expected and it's already (after two days!) starting to feel like home.
After a very pleasant journey (had two seats on the long flight and business class on the last one) I finall arrived in Hyderabad, India. My first impresison was that it was very calm and very few people (this was 4 in the morning after all ;)) For some reason it reminded me of Portugal. Really couldn't tell you why though.
The first day was very busy. After having a quick shower and a short nap we headed out to an event that AIESEC was organizing called Balakalakaar. It was held in the public gardens in Hyderabad. The event was held for about 3000 underprivileged children from the city. The day was for them to have a day of creativity with drawing and entertainment. As a result of the day around 50 children got scholarships to go to art school. It felt really great to be a part of setting it up. Even if it was only putting up decorations and packing bags with things to give them. The children were so friendly and happy to be there. The day was really amazing despite the lack of sleep. ( I blame the great selection of inflight movies ;))
Monday mostly went by waiting for my luggage to be moved to the trainee flat and exchanging money. But still it was nice to get settled in. I'm sharing my flat with six others from different parts of the world. Thankfully we have three bathrooms to share, so no problems in that department atleast :)
And today is my first day at work with Tvarita Consulting. So far everyone seemes very nice and I'm just waiting to get started...and for my lunch Biryani to arrive.
And in my oppinion the talk of that everyone always becomes overwhelmed by the amount of people, the traffic, the smells and so forth seems exadurated. Maybe it's just the first exitement so far but to conclude this, my first experience of Hyderabad has been really positive. I like the country even more than I expected and it's already (after two days!) starting to feel like home.
That's all for now but more thoughts and updates coming soon!
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