I Quit My Job to Move to India...Why You Ask

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Risk is a funny thing. It is so easy to keep doing what we did yesterday, it feels safe and simple but the real magic in our lives occurs when we push ourselves. The real adventure comes when we step out into something new, different and unknown that’s exactly what I’m doing this week. On Friday I will leave the comfort and joy of my community in Seattle for the completely unknown world of Mumbai to start a new journey as a fellow with AIF. I’m thrilled, terrified and confident I’m taking step toward myself. I quit my job to take this fellowship and have had a few friends ask, “Why?” This fellowship is an opportunity to blend all that I love together: education, economic development, social entrepreneurship and India! This fellowship, this adventure is an opportunity to be part of a catalytic organization (AIF), to engage in economic development in India and to use my experiences in government, education and business.

My journey is made richer by the fact that my husband is taking this leap of faith into the unknown with me. I feel blessed and fortunate to have in life a partner who is willing to take this risk with me. Thank you Ryan!

My hope for the next year, for my fellowship with AIF is simple: To experience every moment of the next year and give myself the grace to live in each of those moments, good bad and in between. Change is hard, unsettling, and totally worth it. The most meaningful elements of my journey have come my way when I leaned into fear and trusted myself, my world and my God.

Something I have asked myself many times over the past few months as I have prepared to leave is this: “am I making the right decision?” I think “right decisions” are often much more gray than we accept. I’m making a decision, I’m taking a risk and I’m excited for what comes next. Do we ever really know if it is the right thing to do? I doubt it but I do know what is motivating me to go to India. My father was born and raised in a small town in India just outside of Kochi in Kerala. My parents met in India and while I have visited many times over the years I have never lived there. So I will set off this Friday to join my colleagues who are also taking this risk, launching this journey this crazy wonderful next step. See you all in India! What I hope for myself and for all us is to have a unique, engaging, challenging experience. I was reminded by a mentor recently that an experience is not a good or a bad thing it is an opportunity to grow.

Author

gayatrieassey

Gayatri Eassey is committed to making an impact and a difference in her community both in the United States and in India, both personally and professionally. She is passionate about education, democracy and women's empowerment. She enjoys traveling, taking pictures and spending time with friends and family. She is a dedicated advocate for educational equity and has worked for The College Success Foundation and as Associate Director for External Affairs for Seattle University's Career Services Office. She is the former Interim Executive Director for Career Services at Seattle University. Prior to working at Seattle University she served as Executive Director of City Year Seattle, and as special assistant for boards and commissions in the Office of Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire. She spent three years on the Seattle Community College Board of Trustees. She was the co-founder of the YWCA's Gen-Rising Committee, committed to engaging more young people in the critical work of the YWCA. Her additional experience includes work as a trainer for the National Democratic Institute in Amman, Jordan, preparing women to run for elective office. She has also served as political director for the Washington State Democrats. She recently completed a fellowship with the National Urban Fellows, America's Leaders of Change. She is a former board member for the Center for Women and Democracy, the Institute for a Democratic Future, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Network. She was the Statewide President of the Young Democrats of Washington and a Fellow with the World Affairs Council of Seattle. She earned her MBA in 2012 and hopes to align her government and nonprofit background with her business education to support public private partnerships which provide mutual benefit and strengthen communities.

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