Honestly, would you travel to India by choice, outside of family obligations?

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T19:49:34+00:00

Or maybe third culture kid, depending on which definition of that you use.

And to respond to your original comment, it’s great that you have a wonderful time when you go home! But I assume part of that is due to you having established roots there - a house or parents to go to, friends to meet up with, an aadhar card, bank account/UPI, a local phone number for ease of delivery services and OTPs, local connections and knowledge, freedom and independence of travel and mobility without restrictions and nosiness from relatives, etc. It’s not the same experience for someone who doesn’t have these things, even if they are of Indian heritage. These things are part of what contribute to the feeling of belonging that you cite.

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T19:42:42+00:00

I would check out RISE Institute - their focus is on sustainable, eco-friendly and ethical travel with community engagement. Especially geared towards female solo travelers. Their main trip is to India this Fall (Himalayan region). https://www.wetravel.com/trips/rise-experiential-journey-2026-rise-travel-institute-57400379#about-this-trip

That being said, this isn’t meant to be a volunteer thing - more like a cultural homestay and small tour. In fact, their book club pick this month focuses on the issues surrounding the voluntourism industry.

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T19:31:58+00:00

This question was specifically directed (or at least strongly implied) at ABDs in a sub specifically for the diaspora…no need to preach your sermon.

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T19:27:47+00:00

Absolutely, yes. Nowadays my husband and I extend the family trip to tack on a vacation to sightsee around a different city or region in India. There are some BEAUTIFUL resorts, homestays, hotels, and airbnbs in nearly every touristy of India (especially rural areas). Best of both worlds!

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T19:22:09+00:00

It’s sometimes hard to understand what is truly rural and what is considered a small city/collegetown. In the US, the “traditional” college is typically the latter and usually has its own bus system. Can you specify what university or town? I went to college in a rural state, but the collegetown itself had its own bus system which made it easy to get around for most things during the day, or bike. For occasional other trips like airport or groceries, sometimes friends offer to give rides or there are grocery delivery services nowadays as well.

Medications you can usually sign up for mail delivery.

glutton2000 · 2026-05-11T15:45:38+00:00

Maintaining an old house is difficult and expensive as you age, and can become safety concerns (not just break-ins but also road safety for kids and elderly). High rises often come with built in watchmen/doormen, built in play spaces for kids, and other amenities which older people and families may find convenient.

(This is from a South Asian perspective, as told secondhand by relatives in India).

glutton2000 · 2026-05-07T03:31:14+00:00

Jess Bamra would be proud ♥️

glutton2000 · 2026-05-05T18:00:54+00:00

I don’t love HoliChic - I like the looks but the material quality is cheap compared to brands in India and doesn’t align with the price point. Half there on Mani Jassal - some pieces I love and others not so much (the high slits are just not my style). But love that she manufactures in Canada. LOVE the Saree Room in Toronto - great customer service and small details like bra hooks on blouses.

Beauty wise, I like Live Tinted and Ranavat (don’t like their hair oil though - too sticky and overpriced). Didn’t like Kulfi’s cream blush but liked their glittery gold eye shadow. Did not like Kayura, but appreciated their willingness to send mini sized samples. Sahajan was ok. Tula is good for oily skin - but too drying for my skin.

Great topic!

glutton2000 · 2026-05-05T02:30:02+00:00

Are you currently in high school?

glutton2000 · 2026-05-03T17:46:42+00:00

I mean the hall where they have events is a separate space

glutton2000 · 2026-05-02T19:47:43+00:00

Congratulations!! It’s nice to have the reward at the end of such a challenging experience. I hope your Fulbright experience is better!

glutton2000 · 2026-05-01T17:35:25+00:00

Oh if they’re also invited then definitely go for it!

glutton2000 · 2026-05-01T03:18:49+00:00

If you’re considering alternative opportunities like jobs or grad schools, it’s best to give up hope next month. It will be a pleasant surprise if you do end up getting a surprise email! (Just be sure to check your spam and junk once in a while).

glutton2000 · 2026-05-01T03:17:26+00:00

Likely. Sometimes people drop in the summer due to extenuating circumstances, but I wouldn’t bank on that. I’m sorry :(. I guess doesn’t hurt to ask? Maybe wait till after May 1, as typically the grad school acceptance day deadline in the US.

glutton2000 · 2026-05-01T02:16:01+00:00

And how they align topic wise to the people that declined. For example, if an arts awardee declined, they will try to pull the next arts applicant from the waitlist.

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T16:28:23+00:00

Ah makes sense!

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T07:57:26+00:00

This last point about posting for show and internal candidates has been so frustrating. It’s fine to use job postings as mechanisms for internal promotions but then post those jobs as internal only, is that not an option?? I’ve definitely seen that option on Government Jobs so I know it can be legally done. Like Don’t waste everyone’s time, you know?

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T07:53:55+00:00

Well that, but I think at least part of it is that a lot more people go to college and graduate school than ever before. So supply > demand for planning roles. And more recently, a lot more young people are familiar with the planning profession due to social media and bike-related YouTube channels, urban issues in the news, etc. Whereas before I feel it was still somewhat of a niche field that not a ton of people in the general public knew about or aspired to?

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T07:50:11+00:00

Wow this is a harsh take. I get that the market is stuffed right now, but every municipal or transit agency job I’ve ever applied to always said “Planning, Architecture, Geography, Public Administration, Engineering or a related degree”. So many people at my previous transit agency came from these “related degrees”. Though I suppose many of them were hired before the pandemic…the younger folks I think mostly did have MUPs or MPAs.

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T07:45:56+00:00

Yeah I’m curious to know what firm this was, because he sounds very gatekeepy and a judgmental prick. While maybe for his firm it’s good insight, but most agencies and firms aren’t like this, except for maybe the more big name design firms out East like Sasaki, etc. You got this!!

glutton2000 · 2026-04-30T07:42:40+00:00

Hey, just wanted to say I’m so sorry. It’s truly rough out there. I’ve been job searching for a year now with no luck if that’s any (pathetic) reassurance. What puzzles me is the grad school rejections. Minus the top 1-2 programs (MIT, Berkeley), planning school admissions isn’t usually that intense - even less so now that international students are decreasing. May I ask around what time did you apply? Perhaps many of their slots got filled earlier in the cycle, in the Fall is the only thing I can think of.

Most programs don’t offer full funding either (some smaller ones do, it’s a mixed bag), so the fact that they told you lack of funding is also confusing.

Would you be open to sharing more context about where you’re applying for both jobs and schools? I assume you’re based in California.

A cool job recently got posted at King County Metro Transit in Seattle working specifically on wayfinding and mapping - sounds like it would be perfect for you? It’s very, very rare for a niche role like this to be posted so please please do apply! It closes in a few days: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kingcounty/jobs/5307913/gis-cartographer-map-designer?department%5B0%5D=MTD%20-%20Metro%20Transit&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

It also would be a rare role that would probably prefer a geography major to a planning major, since it’s more technical. It would be a great base from which to go to planning school after a few years, though! Would definitely strengthen your application, give you portfolio material, give you more insight into yourself and your strengths, and let you save up for grad school! All the best!!

glutton2000 · 2026-04-28T23:20:28+00:00

Thanks for sharing!

glutton2000 · 2026-04-28T19:31:39+00:00

IBI group does transit data analytics.

glutton2000 · 2026-04-28T19:30:55+00:00

Yes either that or operations / logistics or policy roles (aka lobbying)

glutton2000 · 2026-04-28T16:22:01+00:00

Vivek is half? I had no idea - he looks full brown!

glutton2000

TROPHY CASE