In Conversation With A Global Indian - Episode 6

Our sixth episode is the first one that facilitates a conversation between a true global Indian and an NRI at heart, Ved Shankar, and our host, MicahVed was born in Ranchi, but largely grew up in Dubai. He studied there in Dubai Modern High and BITS Pilani, Dubai, before spending a chapter of his life in Europe, studying in France and subsequently working in Germany. This conversation covers the aspects of what it was like growing up in Dubai, why he chose to travel in the first place, how his family felt about it, his resultant perspective of India and Indians, and the cultural differences between all the countries he's spent a good amount of time, amongst several other topics very relevant to any NRI.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to Ved Shankar(01:11) When and why Ved went abroad(06:16) What Ved studied at HEC, Paris(07:18) The differences observed while studying between France and Dubai(09:11) Micah's observations on differences in prioritisation while studying in the east and west(13:19) How Ved got his first job in France(15:06) Ved's move to Germany (to work with Bayer)(16:10) Whiffs of stoicism (Marcus Aurelius and Ryan Holiday)(17:18) Other job opportunities and processing healthily (19:45) Work culture differences between France and Germany (22:42) The similarities in culture between India and France(23:31) Balancing long-term and short-term thinking when planning the future (post degree)(25:11) Driving discipline in Dubai vs. Gurgaon(26:08) Reverse culture shock as a concept(26:47) Whether or not Ved felt discrimination while in Europe(27:49) Job hunting in Europe as an NRI(29:26) Similarities in the Middle Eastern job market(29:46) How Ved managed language barriers while in Europe(31:33) Mouth shapes required to speak French (31:02) French is two languages (33:40) Do NRIs have a false perspective of India? (35:04) How do people make friends in France, Germany and India?(38:00) Ved's budget distribution in Germany (38:40) Mental currency conversion (and whether that's a good idea)(41:16) Primary modes of spending in Europe (41:58) Whether or not Ved had to spend money in India (42:46) Saving/investing in Europe (43:40) The worst financial mistakes Ved made while travelling(46:16) Why Ved decided to come back to India(46:55) Where Ved plans to be in the future(47:54) What he would change about India if he had a magical wand(48:37) The most European thing about Ved (post living there)(48:59) Whe strangest thing Ved ate abroad (49:34) What's changed about India between the last time Ved was here and, now(50:34) Changes to India that would convince Ved to move back for good (52:06) Conclusion