For as long as I can remember I have had a longing for adventure. A will to experience new places and to meet new people. I am very grateful for this. Otherwise I most certainly wouldn’t embark on this journey. It could seem strange to leave the happy, safe and familiar life here in Sweden for the unknown in the multifaceted country of India. However, I believe new challenges and experiences make us grow and help to shape who we are. An interesting phenomena is that the closer I am to leave the strong longing for adventure start to mix with a notion of doubt. Can I do this? Why am I really doing this? Sometimes the mere thought of leaving for four months makes me horrified but maybe that feeling also helps us on the different quests of learning that life brings us? Maybe those nervous feelings intend to remind me of the things I normally take for granted here at home? Despite my gut’s try to favor the couch at home for the plane to Delhi I am very grateful and hopeful.

The city of Banaras (also known as Varanasi or Kashi) will be my home for the following months. The plan is to conduct my bachelor-thesis in political science there. I won’t be travelling alone which is comforting. Eleven other students will accompany me on this journey.

Tomorrow the winds will take me southeast.