During my time in India, I am interested in exploring the antenatal care of pregnant women and feeding practices of infants in the city of Mysore, India. The target population in this research are mothers and their children living in rural communities. The objective of this study is to assess the feeding practices of mothers having children under 5 years old who have limited resources for care, and how it affects the health of infants. Exploring this research focus is a concern because the infant mortality rates are high in these rural areas that may be preventable. Many women are not able to care for their children during and after pregnancy due to various reasons, which affects the life of a child. I believe the lives of many children can be saved with a good education to these mothers on key health practices, such as the importance of proper breast feeding during the crucial developing months, immunizations, clean water, good nutrition and hygiene.  

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As I prepare for my departure to India in just a few days, I have received different comments on the journey I am about to take. When I mention that I will be going to India, the first reaction I get is “India?! Why? That country is poor and dangerous. You need to be careful, especially if you are a woman” along with a confused facial expression. Then I mention how every country can be dangerous, even here in the USA, what happens over there can also happen here and anywhere around the world. Poverty is also something that has been happening for many years all over the world, not just in India. Where there is the poor, there is the rich as well. After I point this out, they are unable to give me a reason as to why the first thing they have to say about India is that it's "very dangerous". Also, a country that is 'poor' as how they pointed out, is not something that would be a shock to me because I lived in a developing country for 13 years where poverty is a big issue, therefore I have been exposed to what poverty is. 

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The fact that the first thing I am told is that India is a dangerous place right away is surprising to me because they do not have a supporting reason for this kind of prejudice when I ask. I am certain that they obtain these negative comments based on someone else's story or the media, which publish news mostly when something bad occurs. Even if they do not hear about "bad" things on a regular basis, they will use that one event or story and build a stereotype towards a certain culture from that one event. I believe that if I was going anywhere in the Americas or Europe, I would not get as many negative cultural stereotypes compared to India. The only time I received good comments and advice was from two nurses in the Emergency Room that I work with. Both of them are born and raised in India. When I told them I was going to India, they were so excited that I was going and told me I would like the city I was going to. They told me people in India are very nice and welcoming, and they even offered me to stay at their home with their families if I needed a place to stay. I was glad when I heard them say this to me because it came from people who have actually lived there in the past. They did tell me to be careful and make sure I do not go out alone, which makes sense because I am sure it would not be safe for any girl to go out alone on the streets anywhere around the world. 

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I understand that India has specific cultural traditions and norms with women, and I will have to conform to their culture. I am aware I will live in a country during part of my summer that is completely different from mine and out of my comfort zone. But, this does not change my mind about the amazing experience I will have and get to keep with me for the rest of my life. I am going to India with an open mind and will have my own personal perspective about this culture based on my experiences during this Study Abroad Program.

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