Working in India was a strange experience, through which, I have gained
a lot of qualities which will be of use careerwise, as well as some
great stories, and good friends. I worked as a culture coach, meaning I
corrected misunderstandings, and gave a British perspective. I ran
sessions on UK culture to groups of about 20-40 on a weekly basis,
covering everything from what we think of the weather, what cars we
drive, the houses we live in to what we think about marriage .
So I was in work to show them culture, and they certainly felt
compelled to return the favour. I was invited to no less than four
weddings, thirteen 'come home for dinner and meet my parents', and three
getaways, including a safari where I was chased by a rampaging
elephant. And through this I met some very good friends who I will have
to make some eagerly awaited return trips to India to go and attend yet
more weddings.
In fact, I discovered that one of the girls who I worked with at the
call centre, who helped organise her friends weddings had taken my
advice and started her own business as a wedding planner! It feels
amazing to think that my role as culture coach played a big part in her
career development.
India was a fascinating environment for me, from seeing fleets of
rickshaws honking to pass a too-slow camel, dining out one night by the
side of the road at an out of town daba for 8p followed by champagne
brunch at the seven star Leela Palace the next day for a tenner. The
rich rawness of India is what you see everywhere. Each person has an
amazing tales to tell that you'll just sit and wow at. You'll be amazed
at everything, from the intricate designs on sahries being dragged
through the dust, to the images of Ganesh on every front door.
So its been an experience, inside and outside the office. Outside the
office has left me with a greater appreciation of the differences
between people, and an understanding of how life is different, not
worse, no better, just different. Inside the office I am practiced at
the art of delivering a presentation, preparing everything, and
persuading superiors to go ahead with an idea by having confidence and
conviction, and perhaps some other skills I haven't noticed yet.