When you move at warp speed, you're bound to hit some turbulence

"So, I'm just wondering...what's the speed limit here?" I asked, awkwardly placing my question in the middle of our conversation. "There are no speed limits. There are no rules when you drive here," Roma casually responded as she looked forward at the highway.

Once I arrived at the Udaipur Airport I met Roma, the program director of FSD's Udaipur program. She was certainly kind and patient, but there was a sense of wisdom and stability that carried through her presence as well as her dialogue. After two 8 hour flights and having my biological clock rattled, I was afraid that engaging in a conversation with her would result in a

pitiful fight to stay conscious.

Once we drove off though I was instantly wide-eyed and alert. Cars nonchalantly weaved left and right as speedy motorcycles tangoed with larger vehicles. Colossal trucks creeped from behind, singing a deep hum as they slowly passed us with only inches to spare. Honking was used to announce one’s presence rather than an act of distress or road rage. New York couldn’t compete with this madness! And in the mist of all this, Roma spoke to me as if we were sitting at a coffee shop.

The scenery was incredible! Remnants of ancient castles rim the bottom of several hills while mountains afar created the perfect backdrop. Everything struck me at once and the only thing I could think of was how surreal it all felt.

Roma was informing me about orientation week, my host family, and how we needed to shift my schedule around. Due to some visa issues I had to reschedule my flight and, unfortunately, missed orientation week. In an effort to catch up, I insisted that I had the stamina to do a condensed version. In one day we toured Udaipur on a motorcycle, met my host family, shopped at the old markets, and discussed the ins and outs of RBKS as well as what I should expect as an intern. It was an adventure. The FSD staff was very accommodating and continuously reminded me that they were always there for support.

My host family, the Brijwasi family, consisted of mother Pushpa, father Prem, 21 year old brother Pranay, and his 22 year old sister Niharika or Niki for short. They were a very, very sweet family. I shared my hobbies with the brother and found out that both of us enjoy running. Him and his cousin usually run around the lake at 5:30 am and they invited me to join. This was

splendid! Not only will I get my exercise in, but I really treasure being a part of the family’s activities. This was the view from a balcony across my room.

Although I was genuinely excited and deeply intrigued, the jet lag won over me by the end of the day. As I rested in my room, I couldn’t help but feel worried and confused. I understood the basics but the little details kept gnawing at me. I respected Roma, the FSD staff, my host family, and RBKS, which was why I was dissatisfied with just the basics. This is a special opportunity and whether it means making a genuine contribution to RBKS, deeply connecting with my host family, or falling in love with Udaipur, it will be all worth it.

That’s when I realized that I had a more important challenge ahead of me. Year after year, I was able to acquire knowledge in class by studying systematically – step by step, by habit, or a specific way. I do this successfully because, well, it’s school. I've realized that in cases like these, I cannot always rely on methods from my academic realm, as essential as they may be. I’ve come to accept that some things, especially for this internship, will be completely out of my control and even unfavorable. I want to know that in any situation, whether complicated or unpredictable, there will always be a sustainable solution. With this ending thought, I felt a spark of excitement and joy as I await another day.

Homework on the first day?!

Last night I moved into my new home for the next eight weeks with the Sareen family. Madhu is my host mother and is also my Hindi teacher. Throughout dinner I was quizzed on how to say certain phrases and object names in Hindi. I couldn't believe that my own host mother would give me a pop quiz at my first family dinner! Needless to say I should have reviewed my notes, because I was not nearly prepared. It was such a fun night getting to know the entire family; they really are great people. I am also living with my FSD program director and two other students from Duke which helps ease the transition into an Indian home. I'm sad that I can't spend the entire weekend with the Sareen's, but I am so excited to start my work in Karawara. I should be leaving an about an hour, wish me luck!

Final day of orientation

It's another beautiful morning in Udaipur, India! This is our final day of a week long orientation before moving in with our host families tonight. My fellow interns and I have been busy exploring the city and indulging in the rich culture of Rajasthan. Each day we meet with a different NGO to understand the cultural dynamics of this region. We have attended presentations on women in Rajasthan, local self-governance, asset based community development and village micro-finance to name a few. The Hindi lessons are tough, but I am beginning to pick up some key phrases to interact with local residents. Tomorrow will be my first day in the village to start my work with Alfa Educational Society. I decided to go a day early to take part in their annual cricket tournament. Hopefully my American baseball skills can help bridge the culture gap! It has been an amazing week with a roller coaster of emotions. A few instances of culture shock, but for the most part of I am loving every minute of my time spent here. I can't wait to start my work with Alfa and will have another post up early next week. Namaste!

Udaipur, India - the City of Lakes

Young philanthropist Dan Eldon once stated that there is little difference between exploring and being lost. Although I am not planning on being lost anytime soon at the fourth largest city in Rajasthan, I certainly understand Mr. Eldon's point of view.

One of the best ways to truly learn and be completely moved by the richness and depth of a different culture is to arrive with little expectations and a wide open mind; a mind that is vulnerable to all the little pieces that make a city or entire nation come to life.

My name is Melissa Utomo and I will be a junior at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University studying Information and Process Management. One of my life long aspirations is to one day start an international social business determined to bettering impoverished communities. I truly believe business has the potential to play a leading role in creating positive impact and exercising philanthropy.

Thanks to the Kelley Institute for Social Impact (KISI) and their collaboration with The Foundation for Sustainable Development, I am now able to make that first step into what I hope will be an exciting journey of learning and growing.

I've been placed in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India and for nine amazing weeks I will be interning with Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti (RBKS). The NGO's mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of Udaipur through education, awareness, and natural resource management. Their main target groups are women and children.

All in all, I will be utilizing grants to develop and implement a project primarily focused on community development and livelihoods enhancement through ginger cultivation. I will also be assisting the NGO in the business end.

It is currently ten and a half hours until liftoff ladies and gentlemen…there’s a concoction of emotions fueled with excitement, nervousness, fear, and utter joy. But, this is probably normal. When it comes down to it though I’m ready to be blown away! Goodbye my sweet hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana and hello India!