Three hundred and twelve days…That’s the amount of days that I’ve spent in India pursuing a once in a lifetime opportunity for myself, most of which was spent away from all of the people that I care about the most. At 16 years old, I left the culture that I was accustomed to in America in order to move to India and pursue different life experiences prior to attending college. Overall, I felt that my journey to India would be beneficial to my life by shaping me into a more adaptable, self sufficient, and independent person. In addition, it allowed me to immerse myself in the culture, develop relationships with people from various backgrounds, and broaden my horizons. Although I was faced with several challenges and made some difficult decisions, these experiences have been extremely influential in shaping me into the person that I am today. Throughout this experience, there were a few core experiences that strongly influenced me, which pertain to veganism and equality. …show more content…
Veganism is a lifestyle that focuses on minimizing violence against any living being while also promoting and protecting them. With that being said, it’s more than simply an individual commitment; it requires a broader social responsibility to all living beings. For example, I would often feed the stray dogs that I encountered on my way to school in order to alleviate some of their suffering. Due to my personal beliefs as a vegan, I felt that it was my moral obligation to help make their lives a little better. This seemingly insignificant act reminded me that veganism truly is more than just a diet or individual commitment; it requires a broader responsibly to all living beings. In addition to my beliefs as a vegan, I am a firm believer in equality, which is why I felt that volunteering in India was so