ONE MONTH IN TO HINDI!Aside from a few days of illness (hurray for Delhi Belly!) I have spent almost 50 hours over the last 3 weeks in Hindi Classes. Monday - Friday 4 hours a day in school and 4 hours doing homework and studying. I have completely immersed myself, changing my phone into devanagari script and using duo-lingo and Rosetta stone on the weekends! I am so happy to say I am finally able to form sentences on my own. I am even able to read and write in Hindi now. Although no where near where I need to be before the start of my research, this November, I am beyond thankful for what I have been able to accomplish so far. I have never thought of myself as a particularly language savvy person but somehow I am able to get a grasp of this very complex language. Even my instructor is impressed with how I have been able to pick up and accept new concepts that many times are counterintuitive to English concepts. I feel like each day I push myself out of my comfort zone I discover new strength and ability. The confidence with which I can embrace all that I have faced and will face is rooted in my faith. I know God has a plan for me and when I am on the path he planned I know he will let it be known to me. I feel this ability to take on Hindi is another outstretched hand telling me this is indeed the way. This past year I have faced tumultuous times and difficult decisions, but putting my faith in 'my path' has brought me the peace I need to continue to pursue my mission to impact children and their families here in India and hopefully the world!
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It has been two weeks since I landed back in India. Its my 3rd time back in this beautifully chaotic and often times smelly city of New Delhi. I began this time differently than my other journeys as I am returning this time not as an independent spirit but a scholar of a Fulbright Research grant. Not having to worry about airport transportation or where I was going to stay was a lovely experience. All the grantees were put up at a hotel here in Delhi for our 4 day orientation. I met a number of smart and talented grantees all with very specific and elaborate research interests to be conducted around India. Soon after orientation I headed down to the home I would be hosted in during my year long grant period which is conveniently located near to my Hindi School and affiliate research site. Part of my grant pays for 180 hours of intensive language training! So my first full week back I began Hindi Classes. I have a private tutor who immediately threw me into the deep end of Hindi language. I spend 4 hours a day/5 days a week in school and have been focusing much of my free time studying. It is absolutely critical that I am able to converse in Hindi before I begin my research towards the end of November. Hindi is a completely different language that uses devanagari script instead of the roman alphabet. Having to learn a whole new alphabet and writing style has brought me down to an elementary foundation of learning. I know that time alone will be my greatest friend during this time. After my 4 hours of class I spend 2 hours doing homework. That is about 30 hours a week! एक नई भाषा सीखो (Learn a new Language)
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AuthorMy name is Maggie, but my family and friends have been calling me Dr.Mags since I started putting bandaids on my teddy bear. I ama neurodiverse 27 year old nurse from North Carolina. Nursing fulfills the passion I have felt for medicine and providing care to others. I began working alongside children with disabilities in high school with Rainbow Express Ministries and realized the complicated journeys many of these children and their families have to navigate that is unlike that of acute illness. Archives
November 2019
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