Over the summer, we asked our Premier Community staff to share photos of places they visited. We’ve been sharing these across our social media platforms. It seems we have a well-travelled team!
From soaking up the sun in Egypt to sightseeing in Amsterdam and climbing mountains in Wales. One of our care team, Tia, from the Amber Valley branch, even submitted a photo from India! This heightened our curiosity, and we spent some time talking to Tia about the trip and its impact.
A Flavour of India
Tia, a student paramedic at Nottingham Trent University, has two more years of study to go. There was an opportunity to take part in a cultural immersion trip, where students would visit New Delhi and Mumbai, and NTU would host Indian students in return. When Tia learnt of the opportunity, she leapt to apply and ended up as one of 11 lucky students who enjoyed this fantastic experience.
Tia explained to us that India has always been a destination she wanted to visit; “I’ve always been fascinated by its distinct culture and rich history. Growing up in the small town of Scarborough, I felt that my knowledge of diversity and different beliefs was less than that of people who lived in cities.” India, with its 700 ethnic groups and over 100 languages, is one of the most diverse countries in the world, so for Tia, this was an opportunity too good to miss.
Tia spent 4 weeks in India, moving from New Delhi through to Mumbai with amazing stops in between. Tia was fortunate to be in the country during the Independence celebrations. The programme had organised a community lunch to join the national celebrations.
“We were separated from our group and seated at random tables, which was a true blessing because I met so many wonderful, kind people who welcomed me with open arms. We ate Indian food and exchanged life stories while enjoying the celebrations together.”
In addition to the above experience, Tia was proud to have survived India’s renowned traffic. She noted that making journeys in a tuk-tuk was at a high personal risk, but she’s glad to have experienced and survived it.
During their stay, the students would have to be up and ready by 7 am, taking in the first serving of curry for breakfast! Given the heat of the day, the team were spending time in lectures understanding the politics, economy and social structure in India. After lectures would be portion 2 of curry.
During the afternoons, there was time for local markets with their vibrant colours and smells before some local sightseeing trips, like visiting the Taj Mahal and the Indian Gate. After a busy day, the students would be back in their accommodations for a final curry before some downtime and rest, ready for more exploration!
Caring Away From Home
Reflecting on the trip, Tia was keen to hold onto the rewarding aspects, such as caring for street animals and homeless children. Tia has a wonderful, caring nature, and it’s no surprise that these precious, heartbreaking interactions are what she’ll hold onto most.
She summed up her trip by saying “For me, it was fantastic, and I would definitely recommend it, but unfortunately, some people found it difficult because of the heat, the change of cuisine, and the security concern. If you’re able, go to India.
“I would also like to point out that you should go there with an open mind, without passing judgment, and ready yourself for an incredible but eye-opening experience. I feel that this experience has significantly shaped the way I care by influencing my perspectives, values, and emotional responses; all of these go hand in hand with care. ”
