Why You Shouldn’t Not Go to India

  As a twenty-year-old female college student living deep in the ‘Bible Belt’, I got numerous strange looks when I told people that I was going to be studying abroad in India for a semester.  These looks ranged from horrified to “you must be crazy.

While there were some people that were genuinely excited for me, these people tended to be well traveled.  Most people in my little hometown haven’t been any further than Florida. “Why? Why would you want to go there?”  This was the question that always followed the odd looks that I got.  In return I asked them, “Why wouldn’t I?”  Over and over again I heard about how dirty the country is, how dangerous it is, how would I possibly communicate, etc.

I eventually learned to block all of this out and just focused on preparing for my trip.  Although I was a little bit, okay really, nervous I wasn’t going to let people ruin it for me before I even got there.  So jetlagged and exhausted, I stepped off the plane into Bengaluru, India with an open mind, ready to take on whatever this country could throw at me.

I expected to have a hard time assimilating into the culture of this third world country but it didn’t happen that way.  I adapted quite easily into the Indian lifestyle.  Despite the hustle of traffic, I became more easy-going.  I made more time to spend with friends, didn’t hurry to finish my food or even care when plans got thrown off schedule.  I mean, hey, something will work out right?

I didn’t expect to fall in love the way that I did.  I’ve been back in the States for almost two months now but I still miss the vibrant colors and smell of cooking dal makhani and cows on every corner.  I didn’t expect to have a harder time coming back home.

So if you’re thinking about going to India but people are telling you all of these negative things, my advice is close your ears.  Do not listen to them.  Yes, it is a dangerous country and you will have to be cautious.  Yes, it is dirty and you’ll probably never feel like you’re completely clean.  And yes, they speak hundreds of different languages that will sounds like nonsense to you.

Despite all of these things, I can assure you that the experience will be unlike any other.  No where else will you ever meet such amazing people or see such detailed temples or have the opportunity to buy a piping hot samosa from a street vender on your way home.  India is a culturally rich country that will open your eyes to a different way of life.  One that you never forget once you experience everything it has to offer.  That’s why you shouldn’t not go to India.