Before Leaving

Getting Accepted

In mid-March I received an offer from Western University to take part in the Ontario Global Edge Program. I was paired up with a company called AquaSafi and would be working as a "Business Proposal Intern." Woo! My first real business job, I was ecstatic! I had chosen not to apply to go on exchange for my final year of study, and so this would be my going abroad experience.

Although setting up the call was not without its fair share of difficulties due to time differences, a few days after receiving my offer, I skyped one of my employers (the Director of Communications). It was 7:30 p.m. in Hubli, India, and 10 a.m. in London, Canada, and we talked for about 10-15 minutes. I found out my role was a lot more undefined than I had expected. In the job description, it stated I would be working to secure funding for the company through grants and by partnering with other organizations. However, it seemed like I would be working on ad hoc projects. #exciting

Visa, flights and what else do you need to go to India?

The next steps after that have been to:

  • Get my employment visa, which involves being very patient with the Indian Consulate
  • Get my travel shots and medication - Despite multiple vaccinations and a bunch of pills, you're still supposed to get sick
  • Book my flights - I will be flying via Abu Dhabi (where I will visit with a Sheikh) to Mumbai. From Mumbai, I will take another flight to Hubli. Since my uncle lives in Mumbai, I will be spending a day with him, eating some mangoes and resting up before going to Hubli.
  • And finally, start packing.
  • Date and time of departure: June 5 at 10:45 p.m. I'll probably be too excited to sleep.

    Finally, I would like to dedicate this post to the travel medication Dukarol, as they have some of the funniest ads I have ever seen.

    Next Post - Welcome to India