What first sparked Joe’s interest in India and Leave UR Mark was an economic inequality class he took in college. Joe studies industrial and labor relations and is minoring in economics in the US. For the past two months, he’s been doing a 2-month internship with Leave UR Mark for a small investment bank based in Bangalore, South India, which funds non-profit organizations which work toward bettering communities. “I’m working with some great people and I’m really enjoying the work,” he says of his internship experience. “I’m doing research on social enterprises in the water space. There’s a great need here for sanitation and hygiene and the focus of the project is on water purification. I’m looking for potential clients who would need funding to implement their projects. We have clients in healthcare and are helping to build financial models for them.”
Joe feels he has greatly benefited professionally from his internship experience and has appreciated the autonomy he’s been given by his mentors. “I have a lot of autonomy which motivates me to use my time wisely. This has helped me with organizational skills and time management. I’ve also seen what it takes to run a business. My mentor is the founder and he has been very insightful and helpful. I’ve gained some practical knowledge of investment banking and how to find clients by letting them know about our goals, and lining them up with potential investors.”
Though Joe has traveled to Europe and South Africa before, this is his first time in India. His first impressions were not exactly what he expected, but he had a lot of good surprises in store for him. “I was expecting something less orderly and not so many malls and restaurants. What I found striking was the architecture: no two buildings are alike. I also find the locals very hospitable and have met some great people. I’ve also enjoyed the food – I didn’t realize that rice is a big part of every meal in South India. And I love spicy food so I’m in the right place!”
Joe has especially enjoyed going on weekend trips organized by Leave UR Mark and having the chance to experience other parts of India firsthand. He liked the magical atmosphere of the ancient kingdom of Hampi most of all and was left with many visual impressions which he’ll take home with him. “I loved the rural aspect of Hampi. We had the chance to ride motorcycles through the countryside and I have a very vivid memory of this. The monkey temple was really cool. We also saw an elephant in the water – another vivid image for me. Go on the weekend trips and get outside Bangalore. These trips have given me some of the most vivid memories and experiences I’ll be taking with me. Try to make friends with people and make the most of every day because time tends to go by quickly.”
While India has opened him to the world, Joe also feels that his time with Leave UR Mark has caused him to reflect on home. “On a personal level, India has helped me determine what I enjoy and appreciate about home. I know I have a place to go back to that’s safe. At the same time it opened me to how other people live and given me the chance to see this first hand. This is a very important experience which everyone should have if they can. It’s good to have the opportunity to go outside your comfort zone.”
To apply for this project, please email info@leaveurmark.com and learn more.
