Roaring Through My Twenties

I blinked – and suddenly it’s October, which marks a little over one month since I’ve been here in India. And in this last month I’ve learned a lot about myself, Mangalore, and the people and things around me. 

Truly, these last few weeks have tested my ability to function as an adult. While I’ve been acting as an adult since leaving for college (key word: acting), I’ve somehow impressed myself with my ability to efficiently complete tasks. Finding an apartment, negotiating rent, setting up a local bank account, even discovering the nearest (and best) markets all were hard things…made even harder with language and cultural barriers.

I’m learning and growing everyday, and certainly feeling challenged at times. The food has been the most exciting adjustment and the weather has been the most annoying. Monsoon season has arrived late to this area. I’ve learned the hard way to never leave my apartment without an umbrella, no matter what vibe the clear blue skies give off. And when it’s not a torrential downpour, it’s definitely hot. 

Certainly the biggest adjustment was, and still is, being here on my own. I guess I’m not really “on my own” because I have a great group of friends from my research institution. Maybe, across the world from my friends and family, is a better way to describe the challenging adjustment. I’m not yet certain the way I am coping with this change, if I am at all. Trying to comprehend and sort this new environment while also trying to do the same for my emotions is…very hard. Though, it’s easier to not feel overwhelmed by the feeling of “loneliness” when you are in a new place, especially India. There is so much happening all the time. Even when there isn’t much to do, there’s a lot to observe. Everyday, I remain still so excited about being here. 

I’ve tried to explain to my friends and family how crazy it feels to be back in Mangalore (for those that don’t know – I studied abroad here in 2020 and was dramatically/traumatically pulled out in March because of COVID…). It’s nearly indescribable. Me in India at 19 is a lot different compared to me in India at 23. As time passes I will be able to put that feeling into words. But right now, I can tell you that I know 19 year old me would be proud of how brave 23 year old me is. 23 year old me is much more wise, too. But not any less curious. 

And so, in recent days, when I’m not working on my research things (which, I won’t share much about on here due to privacy/confidentiality reasons), aimlessly strolling through the market, or working on perfecting the ratio of instant coffee to hot water to sugar to milk….I continue to enjoy everything and feel free. 

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official site of the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.  The views expressed on this site are entirely those of its author and do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or any of its partner organizations.