Week 1: Mysore

Namaste from Mysore! This was my first week here at PHRI, and I am nothing but exhilarated to be working and living here for the next couple months. Joining me in this adventure are my trusty lads Kim, Maddie, and Krupa from the University of Hawaii and University of Berkeley, CA respectively. I have met some incredible women here and I feel very privileged to be working alongside them and most importantly, learning from them.

Some fun recaps of the week:

• The interns (KKRM) went to Mysore Palace and learned a little bit about colonialism in Southern India. I noticed the lovely art engrained on the walls and ceilings of palace, and found that the art had a mix of ancient Indian roots and newer British influences.

• We also visited Saint Philomena’s Church. It was beautifully constructed. I was definitely surprised to see such strong European Roman Catholic architecture right in the center of a very Hindu-centric city.

• We also experienced our first Mysorian rain, at least that we were awake for. It rains a couple nights a week, but this was a first for us. Not only did the light drizzle turn into a full on monsoon, but the

• On Friday, I had my first interview for my research project this summer. I was really excited and nervous to meet our first subject, but throughout the interview I was accompanied by Ambika and Anisa my translator and notetaker. I am very thankful that they were there, because I felt much more comfortable. Yes anthro research! Yes public health! Yes women’s empowerment research! I love that the work I am doing encompasses all of these fields, it is the perfect thing for me to study and dedicate my summer here to.

That’s my first week in a nutshell. Stay tuned for the next update! Look forward to updates about the community grassroots project I will be shadowing on, the next two interviews with subjects, and a brief about my thesis research!

-Ru