* Supposed to be posted June 2^nd

I think one of the most poignant things about my internship is how at home I feel at Sangath. Everyone has been so welcoming and warm to me since the day I got here.   They’ve made a place for me at the office with my own desk space and have provided me with two mentors to help guide me while I conduct research here. I’ve gotten to know my coworkers here through shared lunches from the shack down the road, team meetings, and daily tea breaks. Some of the other girls interning here have even showed me around Porvorim – taking me to great South Indian restaurants, the market place in Mapusa, and to some local beaches. I feel like I’m building strong friendships and a real sense of community among my coworkers here at Sangath. My mentors are leaders in the field of mental health work and I’m learning so from them through workshops, meetings, and observing their work. This converted bungalow seemed so daunting my first few days here, but now as it greets me in the morning, I can’t help but feel a sense of familiarity and excitement to see the office and dive head first into the work being conducted at one of India’s leading mental health research institutes.