This is a guest post by Kara Price-Jones

I graduated my Masters Foundations in Clinical Psychology course with distinction at Bournemouth University (BU) in November 2023. I became blessed when my supervisor, Shanti, and BU along with Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts (SSLA) in India, created a position for me to do research in India.

Turing trip to India

Two ideals for my need to explore India and my supervisor’s desire for a research project between BU and SSLA synchronised. The existing psychology Turing Program between UK and India is too short for research but with my research background and 3 month stay in India this was possible. Shanti, the team at BU and SSLA, were incredibly supportive of my journey before, during and after my mobility.

I originally wanted to come to India because I am passionate about spirituality, holistic mental health healing, alternative natural medicines, religious healing, and the power of belief/placebo. This was instigated through my undergraduate at BU, where I began to understand mindfulness, meditation and yoga through my placement with the Dorset Pain Management Service, and my final year courses – emotional neuroscience and Mind over Medicine, which all became life changing for me.

From a personal educational journey to a professional journey to India.

This research project has been more than I could have hoped for; a travelling experience to India, the ability to trust in myself and my personal and professional abilities, and the knowledge that guidance will come for what I need and want. I have also wanted to learn more about the world, become more internationally minded, work hard and contribute to global development.

This was the focus of my research project in India. I want to aspire for creation of world change, and I am inspired and passionate for education as a way to do so. I also am inspired to become a global citizen, advocate for diversity acceptance and to pursue a PHD in a foreign country. I know my work in India will help me achieve this dream and my employability in the future.

Main highlights of my trip:

• Being respected and listened to by professionals where I excited them with my knowledge and communication. This has been monumental for me in my personal and professional development to feel more confident in myself and my professional psychological abilities. This has improved my own self-respect, encouragement and appreciation.
• The ability to experience so many international students and meet remarkable influential people. I attended an Africa day celebration and international graduation ceremony for students and this was so extraordinary to meet so many different students from different cultures.
• I met the Mayor of Maharashtra and gifted him the British flag as part of the international ceremony.
• I had an inspirational conversation with the pro-chancellor of Symbiosis International University (and we still hope I can conduct an interview with the founder of Symbiosis).
• What I learned most from the people of India, these international students and Symbiosis University, is the understanding that we need community, care, warmth and empathy for diversity most of all.
• Evolving my spice tolerance level to be able to taste how amazing Indian food is – my mouth on fire!

This has been an incredible journey of not only self-discovery but a discovery of history, a history not taught in England. A history about the Great British Empire and colonisation that impacted 24% of the world, and the impact it had on India. I learned so much about this over my stay and I learned cognitively, logically and emotionally.

The British and Indian history has shown me the developments in different culture and evolution psychology that helped me remember just how small we are in the grand scheme of life but how each person is so unique and capable of impacting and improving the world.

Find out more

Msc Foundations of Clinical Psychology