![\"Selfies](\"http:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/janalee\/files\/2015\/11\/IMG_8579.jpg\")
<\/a>Selfies in Kolkata’s pet market.<\/p><\/div>\n
I came to terms with my own self-awareness in India. \u00a0My placement\u00a0pushed\u00a0me to embrace self-awareness – more than I have ever done.\u00a0 In the beginning of the placement, it was clear that I did not fit in – my looks, my apparel, my mannerisms, and my silky dark hair were no match for my environment.\u00a0 I wanted to feel included among the large groups of young women and be a part of the Vision Care Technician club<\/a>.\u00a0 I found myself wanting to understand what VCTs were whispering in Tamil.\u00a0 Unfortunately, though, my efforts to converse with VCTs always led to some sort of miscommunication, which killed the conversation and left everyone involved more confused than before the conversation had started. \u00a0Maybe I should have just kept quiet.<\/em><\/p>\n However, as our Gift of Vision study hit a standstill and our focus shifted towards the VCT study, I had come to the realization of how hard working and dutiful the technicians’ were to their families through the hundred or so interviews we conducted with them.\u00a0 During one of the eye camp excursions, a VCT spoke about all the food she missed from home, and I, having resonated so strongly with homesickness, felt for once the mutual bond between this VCT and I.\u00a0 From there, I realized that I have this unique skill of developing interpersonal relationships with few individuals that I cannot do within a larger group.\u00a0 I started visiting VCTs at work and making small-talk with the technicians during their breaks, which developed my relationships with them further.\u00a0 Even though there was a huge language barrier when speaking to the VCTs, their nonverbal cues and emotional expressions were enough for me to empathize with what they tried to say.\u00a0 Thus, while my Myers Briggs results pegged me as an extrovert, I often feel that I am only an extrovert among smaller focus groups with a maximum of five people; groups larger than this often reveal my introverted side, two realizations that I may not have noticed if I were not in the field.\u00a0 This is the kind of social engagement I feel works best for the nature of my work and the ways in which I can thrive within an organization.<\/p>\n My closest Vision Care Technician friends.<\/p><\/div>\n The Ecology of Global Citizenship<\/em><\/p>\n I learned so much from my immersive experience in Indian culture, but the most important concept I will take away is the supportive atmosphere that aided in the discovery of my own self-awareness within global citizenship.\u00a0 Who am I?\u00a0 What do I enjoy doing?\u00a0 What are my talents?\u00a0 What motivates me?<\/i>\u00a0 I have asked all these questions while doing field work in Sankara and am now pondering my career goals as I apply for employment post-graduation. \u00a0I have always understood\u00a0organizations as being disjointed, rarely communicating with each other; through my work experience in India and traveling in different states, I have come to the conclusion that we are a part of this larger human ecology, where individuals work in an interdisciplinary fashion to understanding our natural, social, and individual environments. \u00a0I had never before been so aware of the larger ecology I am in that is more important than the grades I received on an exam or in a class. \u00a0Instead, the\u00a0bottom line is recognizing the ways I could make a difference in the world.<\/p>\n The fellowship has not only provided a strong foundation in learning about my own strengths and weaknesses, but it has also taught me to be more critical about the opportunities that land in front of me.\u00a0 Based on the six informational interviews I have done, I am starting to identify small businesses and start-ups that could use my skills, which was\u00a0never a type of organization I considered working for. \u00a0Analyzing an organization’s mission and vision statements have allowed me to critically ask myself\u00a0whether or not the organization\u00a0aligns with my own personal goals.<\/p>\n A contrast of how small I am to the world around me.<\/p><\/div>\n Confidence for the Future<\/em><\/p>\n As I approach the very end of this 9-month journey, I can feel that I have much more direction in the field I want to pursue.\u00a0 I have thought extensively about becoming a social scientist and working in the global health sector.\u00a0 A year ago, I strongly considered a career in health administration, but the thought of being stuck in an office processing paperwork now terrifies me.\u00a0 On the bright side, through this fellowship, I have discovered that I love doing field work and being part of a team that collaborates with each other in order to drive social change.\u00a0 I identify more with the “social” aspect of social entrepreneurship, leveraging the importance of interpersonal relationships to convey meaningful insights that are valuable to an organization. \u00a0This is what I did at Sankara Eye Foundation India this summer. \u00a0Despite the trouble of fitting in towards the beginning of my fellowship, I persisted and provided value\u00a0to this social enterprise. \u00a0Since turning in my final deliverable and explaining my work to the Santa Clara University community, I have felt at peace with myself, my work, and my capabilities. \u00a0I know what\u00a0impact I want to make. \u00a0I know the change-agent I want to become.<\/em><\/p>\n “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi; One of my favorite quotes that I remembered while visiting Ghandi’s memorial in New Delhi, India.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Looking Back During my first three years at Santa Clara University, I remember the huge amount of stress I placed on myself to get perfect grades, form concrete relationships with my professors, and always be on the prowl for career … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/a>