That's the multiplex (epcot looking thing) and the Origami building in the background. The little building is a hostel building.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
View from my new room.
That's the multiplex (epcot looking thing) and the Origami building in the background. The little building is a hostel building.
Stuff
Yesterday something funny happened. After dinner I decided to get ice cream. The guy didn't have 3 rupees change to give to me, so instead he gave me a piece of CANDY. I guess it's equivalent but I thought it was odd. Today I was getting some coffee at the indian version of starbucks, Cafe Coffee Day, and I was one rupee short. The guy just let me go so I thought that was cool. It's interesting, rules aren't written in stone here, everything is fluid and there's always room for adjustment. It's good in some ways but it sucks not having anything set.
Today we also "snuck" into the girls dorm. It wasn't hard at all, we just walked on over. Of course we just went there to hang out after a session of bowling. They scared us saying it wasn't possible and what not, but it's not so bad.
I went to Domino's for dinner, I met Miho and Joanna there, two girls from the US batch as well. We all had dinner there along with Sarah and Debby. Yes you guessed it, two other girls from the US batch. After dinner all 5 of us went to the bowling alley for some bowling. I paid for all the games on my credit card and they paid me in cash, so now I finally have money again! A bunch of other people from the US batch came to bowl as well and afterwards we went back to the girls dorm because a lot of them were planning a trip for Bangalore this weekend.
I think I'm going to meet up my friend from Maryland, Akhil Rao, in Bangalore this weekend as well. He's in my fraternity and he knows Bangalore so it should be a good time. I think by then my bank account will be opened as well so i'll have enough cash to enjoy myself. I finished filing my reimbursement and salary advance too, so now I just have to wait for those to clear.
I found out today I'm probably on the fast track for training as per the results of that test. The only thing is, it says we're not supposed to meet up until August 2nd, so tomorrow I don't know if it's a day off or what. They didn't communicate where these lists that told us what track we are on are either. They just kinda told us to check our e-mail and that's all. I figured knowing what time and where our training was going to be held would be a priority for them but I guess not! Oh well, just something else we have to get used to I suppose. I've found that if you actively pursue what you need to get done, it'll get done for sure. I feel like in America people kind of hold our hand and show us what to do and how to do it. Here we're kind of on our own and it's up to us to get things done. I don't know if it's good or bad, just different.
Also I moved into my new room today. It's not so bad, I posted a video of it on picasa. Last night I got the letter to move so I packed up and then called the front desk for them to send a car over to move my bags. The guy says he'll send one over and hangs up. 5 min. later he calls back and says I'm supposed to move tomorrow and not today. So I was a little frustrated since I had just packed all my stuff up. I also missed out on going out to dinner with some friends because I had to move out. So I called the guy back and told him I needed to move out right then because I already packed up and didn't want to unpack. So he finally sent a car over and I was able to move out and move in to my new room.
Today we also "snuck" into the girls dorm. It wasn't hard at all, we just walked on over. Of course we just went there to hang out after a session of bowling. They scared us saying it wasn't possible and what not, but it's not so bad.
I went to Domino's for dinner, I met Miho and Joanna there, two girls from the US batch as well. We all had dinner there along with Sarah and Debby. Yes you guessed it, two other girls from the US batch. After dinner all 5 of us went to the bowling alley for some bowling. I paid for all the games on my credit card and they paid me in cash, so now I finally have money again! A bunch of other people from the US batch came to bowl as well and afterwards we went back to the girls dorm because a lot of them were planning a trip for Bangalore this weekend.
I think I'm going to meet up my friend from Maryland, Akhil Rao, in Bangalore this weekend as well. He's in my fraternity and he knows Bangalore so it should be a good time. I think by then my bank account will be opened as well so i'll have enough cash to enjoy myself. I finished filing my reimbursement and salary advance too, so now I just have to wait for those to clear.
I found out today I'm probably on the fast track for training as per the results of that test. The only thing is, it says we're not supposed to meet up until August 2nd, so tomorrow I don't know if it's a day off or what. They didn't communicate where these lists that told us what track we are on are either. They just kinda told us to check our e-mail and that's all. I figured knowing what time and where our training was going to be held would be a priority for them but I guess not! Oh well, just something else we have to get used to I suppose. I've found that if you actively pursue what you need to get done, it'll get done for sure. I feel like in America people kind of hold our hand and show us what to do and how to do it. Here we're kind of on our own and it's up to us to get things done. I don't know if it's good or bad, just different.
Also I moved into my new room today. It's not so bad, I posted a video of it on picasa. Last night I got the letter to move so I packed up and then called the front desk for them to send a car over to move my bags. The guy says he'll send one over and hangs up. 5 min. later he calls back and says I'm supposed to move tomorrow and not today. So I was a little frustrated since I had just packed all my stuff up. I also missed out on going out to dinner with some friends because I had to move out. So I called the guy back and told him I needed to move out right then because I already packed up and didn't want to unpack. So he finally sent a car over and I was able to move out and move in to my new room.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The weekend
As a result of insufficient funds, I didn't really do much this weekend. I really wonder how long it takes the bank here to open an account. We learned in one of our diversity seminars here that India is very process driven. I figured "eh it can't be that bad" but man was I wrong. To do any little thing there's some overly long drawn out process that has to happen. I think one of the quotes they shared with us from one of the earlier US batches sums it up pretty nice. In the quote the person said that any minor deviation from the norm throws the whole process off and it takes even longer to get something done.
I guess it's a different country so we have no choice but to play by their rules huh, but man is it frustrating. I just want them to open my account so my uncle and put some money in it! Ohhh well. But yeah, this weekend I pretty much relaxed on campus and in my room. I saw the hindi movie Guru on t.v. yesterday (saturday). I had already seen it once back home but figured I'd watch it again. Today hasn't been much different. I just went biking for a bit around the campus and now i'm back in my room. I'm wearing shorts today, and it's funny the way people sometimes look at you when you're wearing shorts out here. The way some people stared you'd think I was walking around naked or something.
Tomorrow we take the screening test to see if we're in the long cycle or the fast track. Since I'm computer science it'll be mandatory for me. I kinda want to be in the long cycle so I can just relax a little and not have to worry about studying sooo much in such a short amount of time. I want to travel around India during my time here as well, I don't want to spend the whole time studying!
On Friday we went to Planet X, I had heard a lot about it from the previous batch. It's a really nice place. there's a restaurant, go-karting, and a club/houka lounge. We only went to the restaurant and the club but i'm sure we'll be back for go-karting. The food was ok, liked the cave restaurant way better though. The club was ok, it was egyptian themed. They played hip-hop for once though, Opium was only rock music.
Well bye for now, I'm gonna try and find something to do online I suppose.
I guess it's a different country so we have no choice but to play by their rules huh, but man is it frustrating. I just want them to open my account so my uncle and put some money in it! Ohhh well. But yeah, this weekend I pretty much relaxed on campus and in my room. I saw the hindi movie Guru on t.v. yesterday (saturday). I had already seen it once back home but figured I'd watch it again. Today hasn't been much different. I just went biking for a bit around the campus and now i'm back in my room. I'm wearing shorts today, and it's funny the way people sometimes look at you when you're wearing shorts out here. The way some people stared you'd think I was walking around naked or something.
Tomorrow we take the screening test to see if we're in the long cycle or the fast track. Since I'm computer science it'll be mandatory for me. I kinda want to be in the long cycle so I can just relax a little and not have to worry about studying sooo much in such a short amount of time. I want to travel around India during my time here as well, I don't want to spend the whole time studying!
On Friday we went to Planet X, I had heard a lot about it from the previous batch. It's a really nice place. there's a restaurant, go-karting, and a club/houka lounge. We only went to the restaurant and the club but i'm sure we'll be back for go-karting. The food was ok, liked the cave restaurant way better though. The club was ok, it was egyptian themed. They played hip-hop for once though, Opium was only rock music.
Well bye for now, I'm gonna try and find something to do online I suppose.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Today
Today we had some more cross-cultural training I think. A lady named Smitha was talking to us about how the previous american batches perceived the cultural differences and we shared our own experiences thus far. A lot of it was very interesting, like the Indian Standard Time of always being late. Being an Indian myself I've experience that many times. If you want indians to be on time to a party, you have to tell them to get to the place an hour before the party is supposed to start, and they will get there on time. A lot of it I'm not accustomed to though. There's no concept of a line here sometimes. If you're in line, someone might just cut in the middle like it's normal. We've been told that if you tell them nicely to get to the back of the line they do listen though.
I felt like in today's session though, we were acting like the Indians should be acting like us, and because they weren't we found it weird. I think, especially on this campus, it's easy to forget you're in another country with a different culture. The saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans" applies here as well. Yes there are cultural differences but I think if we approach them with an open mind it should be fine. Also, I feel like some people make the assumption (unknowingly probably) that Globalization == America. In other words, the assumption is that the world revolves around America. I'm sure if you went up to any one of us and asked "Do you think the world revolves around America?" the answer would be "Of course not" but I get the feeling that there is a hint of this idea in some people's minds. Don't get me wrong though, everyone here tries to understand and be open minded, that's why they decided to take this job in the first place.
Like I said before, being an Indian myself I can understand some of these cultural differences. At the same time however, I did grow up in America and that's the culture i'm so used to. So many things here do seem foreign to me as well. It's a weird feeling, going to the country where your entire family and heritage is from and still feeling like an outsider. Although I've been to India before, i'm still amazed at it all. I don't want to act like an outsider because along with the United States, this is also my country. At times though, it can't be helped I suppose. For example, I think it so strange that they don't say hi a lot of times when you say hi to them walking down the street. From their persepective, they haven't been raised that way. Someone saying hi to you on the street is just not what happens here so they aren't accustomed to it. Also the whole standing in line thing shocks me too. We learned that they grow up with a different sense of time than we do. For us things happen sequentially, only when one task ends do we start another. Here it's more fluid, if the guy at the cell phone store is talking to you, it's completely normal for him to interrupt you and serve another customer.
I'm sure if we stay open minded and remind ourselves that we are in another country with different customs, we'll be fine. Who knows we might even get acclimated to the culture and start doing things their way.
I felt like in today's session though, we were acting like the Indians should be acting like us, and because they weren't we found it weird. I think, especially on this campus, it's easy to forget you're in another country with a different culture. The saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans" applies here as well. Yes there are cultural differences but I think if we approach them with an open mind it should be fine. Also, I feel like some people make the assumption (unknowingly probably) that Globalization == America. In other words, the assumption is that the world revolves around America. I'm sure if you went up to any one of us and asked "Do you think the world revolves around America?" the answer would be "Of course not" but I get the feeling that there is a hint of this idea in some people's minds. Don't get me wrong though, everyone here tries to understand and be open minded, that's why they decided to take this job in the first place.
Like I said before, being an Indian myself I can understand some of these cultural differences. At the same time however, I did grow up in America and that's the culture i'm so used to. So many things here do seem foreign to me as well. It's a weird feeling, going to the country where your entire family and heritage is from and still feeling like an outsider. Although I've been to India before, i'm still amazed at it all. I don't want to act like an outsider because along with the United States, this is also my country. At times though, it can't be helped I suppose. For example, I think it so strange that they don't say hi a lot of times when you say hi to them walking down the street. From their persepective, they haven't been raised that way. Someone saying hi to you on the street is just not what happens here so they aren't accustomed to it. Also the whole standing in line thing shocks me too. We learned that they grow up with a different sense of time than we do. For us things happen sequentially, only when one task ends do we start another. Here it's more fluid, if the guy at the cell phone store is talking to you, it's completely normal for him to interrupt you and serve another customer.
I'm sure if we stay open minded and remind ourselves that we are in another country with different customs, we'll be fine. Who knows we might even get acclimated to the culture and start doing things their way.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
First night out into Mysore
Last night was our first night into mysore. During the day we had all been drowned in paperwork and more endless presentations. The American recruiters (who are two women) took the girls out for a "girls night out" for the last night they were here. So they guys got together and decided why not have a guys night out too. Traveling from campus is really easy, you just call up the travel desk and they arrange a cab, train, bus or whatever for you. Eight of us took one cab and eight of us in another.
On the way over there it was the typical India I thought I was used to seeing. Event hough I've seen India a few times before, it still happens to amaze me everytime. Just the scene of it all, the crazy driving, the roaming animals and all the people just going about their lives. I love it, somehow it makes me feel like i'm at home in a weird sort of way and at the same time it feels so surreal. It really felt surreal and when I realized I was about to go to happy hour with some work buddies on the other side of the world in India.
We got to this hotel that had a restaurant and a bar in it. We decided to go eat first. The restaurant was called "Ghufa" and it means Cave in Hindi. It was aptly named, the decor inside was just like a cave. They had fake animals like bats and scorpions hanging from the wall. The wall was made to look like cave rock. It was amazing, all the servers were dressed as safari men too. The food was amazing too, anything better than any of of us had eaten so far in India. I really like the group of people that I came to India with, they're all really friendly and pretty hilarious.
Afterwards we went to the bar in the same hotel. It was called Opium. Now, the idea of drinking in India was a little weird to me at first. Everytime I've come here it's either been for family or temples or something like that. I didn't really know what to expect, but the club was pretty amazing. They played rock music (a lot of linkin park) the whole night. King Fisher beer actually rocks, it's good beer. We all chilled and drank a little bit and later on the girls joined us after they got finished with their dinner with the recruiters. The whole night was a blast. Still no hot local girls though, no local girls last night at all actually haha. ohhh well.
Afterwards we all came back and sat at the floating restaurant. It was closed but there's no doors or anything on it so we sat down at a table and talked for a while. It was pretty cool, everyone jokes around and it's great. One of the biggest jokes of the night was the "sexual sneak attack". One of the bulletts on our Sexual Harrassment presentation said that "sexual sneak attack" qualifed for sexual harrassment. None of us are really sure what that means but it sounds kinda fun haha.
On the way over there it was the typical India I thought I was used to seeing. Event hough I've seen India a few times before, it still happens to amaze me everytime. Just the scene of it all, the crazy driving, the roaming animals and all the people just going about their lives. I love it, somehow it makes me feel like i'm at home in a weird sort of way and at the same time it feels so surreal. It really felt surreal and when I realized I was about to go to happy hour with some work buddies on the other side of the world in India.
We got to this hotel that had a restaurant and a bar in it. We decided to go eat first. The restaurant was called "Ghufa" and it means Cave in Hindi. It was aptly named, the decor inside was just like a cave. They had fake animals like bats and scorpions hanging from the wall. The wall was made to look like cave rock. It was amazing, all the servers were dressed as safari men too. The food was amazing too, anything better than any of of us had eaten so far in India. I really like the group of people that I came to India with, they're all really friendly and pretty hilarious.
Afterwards we went to the bar in the same hotel. It was called Opium. Now, the idea of drinking in India was a little weird to me at first. Everytime I've come here it's either been for family or temples or something like that. I didn't really know what to expect, but the club was pretty amazing. They played rock music (a lot of linkin park) the whole night. King Fisher beer actually rocks, it's good beer. We all chilled and drank a little bit and later on the girls joined us after they got finished with their dinner with the recruiters. The whole night was a blast. Still no hot local girls though, no local girls last night at all actually haha. ohhh well.
Afterwards we all came back and sat at the floating restaurant. It was closed but there's no doors or anything on it so we sat down at a table and talked for a while. It was pretty cool, everyone jokes around and it's great. One of the biggest jokes of the night was the "sexual sneak attack". One of the bulletts on our Sexual Harrassment presentation said that "sexual sneak attack" qualifed for sexual harrassment. None of us are really sure what that means but it sounds kinda fun haha.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Orientation/first day
Today was our first day of "work". It was really just a long day of orientation. They told us all about the policies of the company and what we can and can't do. Some points were a little unclear and they had a hard time explaining them, but they got their points across in the end. I hope classes aren't like that. We also opened our bank accounts today. It's funny though, it's like ICICI bank has a monopoly over all infosys employees. We didn't get a choice, they were the only bank we could open an account with. I guess it's easier because they're on campus, but still kinda weird. They had tea breaks twice and they had an "ice breaker". The game was fun but ice breakers aren't really necessary when you've been hanging out with the people involved in the game for almost a week!
It was informative for the most part. It was a little information overload though, all the presentations one after another. I found out a lot of us are being moved out of where we're staying right now. The place i'm at right now is apparently visitors quarters, so they're nicer than the regular hostels. I was getting used to this place, it had satellite t.v. and a fridge and everything. I just don't know when we're gonna be moved though. It kinda sucks because now I have to repack all my stuff and move it to the new place, that'll be a pain. The other hostels aren't horrible, it's just that these places are a lot nicer. And I did find out for certain today that from the sky, the hostels here spell out Infosys, pretty neat.
Yesterday I played volleyball with some of the american guys and a bunch of indian guys. It was pretty fun, the indians here don't play around when it comes to volleyball. A few of us also went to the bowling alley. It was pretty nice, just like the ones back home. They had weird animations on the screens when you got a spare or a strike or something though.
Also, I think I have to learn how to tie a tie again. Mine always comes out crooked for some reason.
Anyways, we're about to go to dinner. On the agenda it says "peer counseling and dinner with buddies". One, what's up with the peer counseling and two, who are these buddies?? haha I guess I'll find out soon enough
It was informative for the most part. It was a little information overload though, all the presentations one after another. I found out a lot of us are being moved out of where we're staying right now. The place i'm at right now is apparently visitors quarters, so they're nicer than the regular hostels. I was getting used to this place, it had satellite t.v. and a fridge and everything. I just don't know when we're gonna be moved though. It kinda sucks because now I have to repack all my stuff and move it to the new place, that'll be a pain. The other hostels aren't horrible, it's just that these places are a lot nicer. And I did find out for certain today that from the sky, the hostels here spell out Infosys, pretty neat.
Yesterday I played volleyball with some of the american guys and a bunch of indian guys. It was pretty fun, the indians here don't play around when it comes to volleyball. A few of us also went to the bowling alley. It was pretty nice, just like the ones back home. They had weird animations on the screens when you got a spare or a strike or something though.
Also, I think I have to learn how to tie a tie again. Mine always comes out crooked for some reason.
Anyways, we're about to go to dinner. On the agenda it says "peer counseling and dinner with buddies". One, what's up with the peer counseling and two, who are these buddies?? haha I guess I'll find out soon enough
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
First Day
Check out pictures at: picasaweb.google.com/rudyj03
We got in today on campus around 5 a.m., it was nuts. I got into my room and it's really amazing. It's nothing like the pictures I saw online at all. It's really big, there's 2 beds, 2 drawers, a small fridge, a big ass vanity mirror and a spacious bathroom. I was thinking about going to sleep when I got to my room but when I tried I just couldn't for some reason. I don't even think it was jet lag really, I was just excited to be in india and I felt like it was a waste to sleep right off the bat! So I unpacked and set about getting some things done.
On Monday we have our orientation and I had to print out a copy of my offer letter and make copies of my passport pages. What would take an hour max in america took forever over here haha. I had to run back and forth to 3 different buildings to get it done. the building everyone told me to go to, the global education center, the guard there wouldn't let me in! He said I didn't have a badge, but I just got here today so there was no way I would have one!
I eventually got it printed out at the information desk. The copies for the passport, I had to go to this really awesome looking building called the Origami building and made photo copies there.
Also, what REALLY sucks is that I lost the pouch that had most of my money in it! It was a brown pouch that I would slip my belt through. I think at one of the security checkpoints at one of the airports it must have slipped off. I had 20 dollars and 20 euros (from my europe trip) to turn into rupees, instead of the 200 dollars in the pouch! I have about 1800 rupees right now. I talked to the HR guy and he said he'd help me get reimbursed for my vaccinations and all earlier than usual so I'd have money before the first pay check.
It's kinda funny, I thought I'd be money man as soon as I got here and look at me now haha. Oh well, I guess you live and learn huh. I think i'll go check out the cell phone plans and stuff now, then grab dinner with the other americans. All the other Americans that came with me are really chill as well. My next door neighbor here is actually the guy from Maryland that was in my 435 class, Messay.
well bye for now, the first day hasn't even ended yet and it's already been exciting, can't wait to see what the next 6 months holds.
We got in today on campus around 5 a.m., it was nuts. I got into my room and it's really amazing. It's nothing like the pictures I saw online at all. It's really big, there's 2 beds, 2 drawers, a small fridge, a big ass vanity mirror and a spacious bathroom. I was thinking about going to sleep when I got to my room but when I tried I just couldn't for some reason. I don't even think it was jet lag really, I was just excited to be in india and I felt like it was a waste to sleep right off the bat! So I unpacked and set about getting some things done.
On Monday we have our orientation and I had to print out a copy of my offer letter and make copies of my passport pages. What would take an hour max in america took forever over here haha. I had to run back and forth to 3 different buildings to get it done. the building everyone told me to go to, the global education center, the guard there wouldn't let me in! He said I didn't have a badge, but I just got here today so there was no way I would have one!
I eventually got it printed out at the information desk. The copies for the passport, I had to go to this really awesome looking building called the Origami building and made photo copies there.
Also, what REALLY sucks is that I lost the pouch that had most of my money in it! It was a brown pouch that I would slip my belt through. I think at one of the security checkpoints at one of the airports it must have slipped off. I had 20 dollars and 20 euros (from my europe trip) to turn into rupees, instead of the 200 dollars in the pouch! I have about 1800 rupees right now. I talked to the HR guy and he said he'd help me get reimbursed for my vaccinations and all earlier than usual so I'd have money before the first pay check.
It's kinda funny, I thought I'd be money man as soon as I got here and look at me now haha. Oh well, I guess you live and learn huh. I think i'll go check out the cell phone plans and stuff now, then grab dinner with the other americans. All the other Americans that came with me are really chill as well. My next door neighbor here is actually the guy from Maryland that was in my 435 class, Messay.
well bye for now, the first day hasn't even ended yet and it's already been exciting, can't wait to see what the next 6 months holds.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
First post
I made this blog so you guys can be in the know about what's going on in my life while I'm off to India. I'll be posting a lot of pictures on here and so on as well. Right now i'm just waiting for my visa, the Indian Embassy in DC really really sucks. I've been to India before and the embassy wasn't anymore helpful than they were back then. I should be getting the visa on monday though if everything works out. I leave on July 18th, and i'm getting more and more excited as each day goes by. I haven't really done much in terms of preparation, that's probably not a good idea. Well that's all for now, i'll try my best to keep this thing updated on a regular basis.
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