(no subject)
I stopped over at my cousin Krista’s house on my way out to DC for grad school. While there, she advised that I keep track of what my aspirations are for this degree and my career, or I might find myself knee-deep in something, not knowing how I got there and where I plan to go afterwards.
I can say that my aspirations have changed even in the two weeks since my classes have started, as I have gotten a clearer picture of what possibilities there are out there for me.
Academically, I am interested in cross-cultural interaction in development, regionally in Asia. That is what I want to study. What I want to work with is that, as well as women’s issues, youth, and education. (Sounds a little bit like Jagori, doesn’t it?) Ideas for thesis research topics include: how is Japan supporting development in the rest of Asia, particularly India? How do each other’s cultures and biases affect the types of projects and how they are implemented in India? Another idea is: how does foreign aid aimed at the Tibetans in HP, India trickle down to the Indians there? How does that aid affect the relations between the Indians and Tibetans, and more marginally, the tribal Indians? What are all of the western cultures converging on Dharmsala with their aid doing to the region as well?
This year is getting a lot of core requirements out of the way and next year will be a lot more self-starting with research, due to the nature of grad school classes in Japan. Japanese students are lazy once they get out of high school, and I have been warned that the reading will be really light, but that I will have lots of opportunities for my own research. I need to remember that I have really strong analytical skills that I should develop and use when possible, as well as a sensitivity to culture and language.
I have this aspiration to take Chinese classes while I am in Japan. I really want to learn Chinese, and I don’t have time here, but I may have time next year in Japan. Plus, learning a third language through the medium of a second will be so very good for me.
I need to find a way to not let my Hindi slip away too.
Career-wise, I want to work with Asia. I don’t want to work for the State Department, as has been frequently suggested, nor do I want to work in intelligence, which was even suggested to me once. I think I would rather work for an international or national level NGO or policy think-tank that does actually see some on-the-ground action now and then. Right now, I am leaning towards policy, training, or even monitoring and evaluation.
I still know so little about the International Development field and what options there are for me, but I have a feeling I will sort of fall into something the same way all these unlikely things are falling into place even now.
I can say that my aspirations have changed even in the two weeks since my classes have started, as I have gotten a clearer picture of what possibilities there are out there for me.
Academically, I am interested in cross-cultural interaction in development, regionally in Asia. That is what I want to study. What I want to work with is that, as well as women’s issues, youth, and education. (Sounds a little bit like Jagori, doesn’t it?) Ideas for thesis research topics include: how is Japan supporting development in the rest of Asia, particularly India? How do each other’s cultures and biases affect the types of projects and how they are implemented in India? Another idea is: how does foreign aid aimed at the Tibetans in HP, India trickle down to the Indians there? How does that aid affect the relations between the Indians and Tibetans, and more marginally, the tribal Indians? What are all of the western cultures converging on Dharmsala with their aid doing to the region as well?
This year is getting a lot of core requirements out of the way and next year will be a lot more self-starting with research, due to the nature of grad school classes in Japan. Japanese students are lazy once they get out of high school, and I have been warned that the reading will be really light, but that I will have lots of opportunities for my own research. I need to remember that I have really strong analytical skills that I should develop and use when possible, as well as a sensitivity to culture and language.
I have this aspiration to take Chinese classes while I am in Japan. I really want to learn Chinese, and I don’t have time here, but I may have time next year in Japan. Plus, learning a third language through the medium of a second will be so very good for me.
I need to find a way to not let my Hindi slip away too.
Career-wise, I want to work with Asia. I don’t want to work for the State Department, as has been frequently suggested, nor do I want to work in intelligence, which was even suggested to me once. I think I would rather work for an international or national level NGO or policy think-tank that does actually see some on-the-ground action now and then. Right now, I am leaning towards policy, training, or even monitoring and evaluation.
I still know so little about the International Development field and what options there are for me, but I have a feeling I will sort of fall into something the same way all these unlikely things are falling into place even now.