Only in India: Adventures of an International Educator

by Jill Dobbe

"We're moving to India!"

Travel along with two international educators who take the leap and move to Gurgaon, India, to become principals at an Indian/International school. Excited by the opulent marble hallways and the grandness of the school, they quickly learn it lacks even the most basic supplies, like chalkboard erasers. The couple, however, make a go of it and ultimately adjust to the dizzying day-to-day life of Indian society where sacred cows stop for red lights, women wear glittery saris while planting rice, and dreadlocked sadhus go about renouncing all their worldly pleasures.

Part memoir, part travelogue, and part tragic comedy, readers will marvel at all the couple have to endure only to end up leaving the school and India abruptly, without even so much as a Namaste. Despite a catastrophe or two, their go-with-the-flow attitudes and kindred sense of humor help them endure India's overwhelming bustle while recognizing and appreciating its distinctive allure.

Genres: Nonfiction, India

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2018

About the author

Jill is an international educator, travel writer, amateur photographer, and author of three travel memoirs. She enjoys writing about her experiences living and working in schools and countries around the world. Making her home in Honduras, Jill continues to travel and write about the beautiful people and places of Central America, while muddling her way through the Spanish language.

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Reviews

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I give it 5*! I lived it and then slaved over writing about it. :)

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this author’s book “Kids, Camels, and Cairo” and thoroughly enjoyed it so was happy to see another book by her. If you enjoy a combination of a memoir and a travelogue written with the tone of a missive to family and friends, this is the book for you. It is a beautifully written and adventurous story.

After leaving Egypt, Jill and her husband Dan applied for jobs in India. They were excited when they were hired as principals at a school in Gurgaon. So off they flew to India. Now anyone doing this type of job has to be extremely flexible and quickly adaptable to other cultures. And a good sense of humor is a must. This is certainly the case with Jill and Dan. (They also exposed their children to this way of life which, in my opinion, will result in the children being highly adaptable.)

Jill does tell you right up front in the book that they had to leave India abruptly, even before the end of their contract. Yet this negative experience did not tarnish the accounting of their time in India.

While they were aware of the unpleasant aspects of a visit to India, they were still not totally prepared for the complete immersion into the daily life of the Indian people – the noise, the sometimes highly unhygienic conditions, the sparse living conditions, the inconvenience presented by the sacred cows, and the aggressive monkeys. Along with this though came the helpful nature of the people, the colorful surroundings, the intricate architecture, the festivals, and the diversity of the people and their cultures.

Jill’s superb descriptions vividly portrayed day-to-day life there – a surreal experience. Where else do drivers maneuver around the sacred cows sprawled out in the middle of the road and women wear simple yet colorful cotton saris while working in the rice fields? And where else does a teacher arrive late to school with the (acceptable) excuse being that a monkey was sitting in the middle of her living room? In my mind I could hear the sounds of the people and the traffic around her, smell the pungent scents of cooking spices and the not-so-pleasant smells, envision the various modes of dress, hear the chants of the Buddhist prayers, and feel the hot and muggy weather conditions. I felt her frustration with not speaking the local language and being taken advantage of. She pulled me into her world and let me experience it alongside her.

There were comical moments. I laughed at the description of “laughing yoga”. (Makes sense once you read why.) The ant invasion gave me the willies – yuck – but I do hope they were able to laugh about it afterwards.

Jill takes you along as she visits the Taj Mahal, the famous Gyarah Murti sculptures, and other notable sites in India. She explains the various styles of dress, the celebration of holidays, and the caste system. She made learning about India very enjoyable.

If you have ever dreamed of visiting India, be sure to read this book. As much as I have traveled India has never been on my “must see” list so I applaud Jill for her endurance.

[Margaret Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indian Life

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in India. It is a fascinating account of the author’s experience of living and working in that country. I’ve travelled extensively in India but marrying cows was a new one on me! I gave it 4 stars because I would have liked more thrilling tales of her time there.

[Maya Fleischmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2009, Dobbe and her husband excitedly moved from Wisconsin to Gurgaon, India to be principals at an International School. Dobbe recounts the anticipation of the post, her interactions with the international and local community, and the wildlife around India, and the adventure in even the most routine activities.

I'm a big fan of travel and travelogues, so Dobbe's memoir was intriguing. Her descriptions of life in India, the contrasts and paradoxes within the culture and people are so beautifully drawn out. Dobbe also does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the country through all senses, such as the colourful spices in the market, and the sounds of the tuk tuks zooming around the streets. This narrative is engaging as well as educational and thought-provoking as Dobbe weaves in the culture's history, as well as the socio-political and economic situation and issues.

[Kim Gjerde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel to India without ever leaving home, in this travel memoir written by author Jill Dobbe. As Jill shares her experiences of living and teaching abroad in India, the reader gets to journey alongside her and her husband Dan as they experience life in India. She takes you from the busy towns and cities in and around New Dehli to the Himilayan mountains and villages in Northern India, while sharing funny stories and fun facts along the way. As a travel junkie myself I truly enjoyed reading about her and her husband's adventure and would recommend this to anyone planning a trip to India in the future or just someone who enjoys exploring new cultures!

[Julie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting read and insight into India. Jill and Dan are certainly adventurous as they move to yet another international teaching position. This time to India to work as principals of an elite Indian school run by a wealthy Indian family. An easy to read, humorous, eye-opening account of the true India. The book covers not only the challenge of working in a school run like a business to make a profit but about the culture and what living in India is really like. The ant invasion, the way people can just down trou and go wherever, the cows wandering the streets, also doing their business wherever and the initially cute but then aggressive monkeys and reading about the Ganges River all add to an interesting read. The flashy and bright external which when scratched reveals a less than perfect reality. I particularly enjoyed reading of the Tibetian people who have made India their home after their home country was taken over by China. I can't say it made me want to visit the place but loved reading about it all the same.

[Anthony Stancomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written almost like an extended journal, and full of description of India’s colourful life, most of it describes the life, customs and festivals of places the couple visit as they travel around India. They are teaching at an International Indian school and during the year they have ample opportunity sightsee as well as observe life going in in their school and the city where they live.
Even more interesting are the accounts of them setting up home, dealing with the shambles of Indian administration, and working in an environment where punctuality, order and discipline are not what they are accustomed to. Their immersion in the third world is trying, but they grin and bear it in an admirable fashion, and there are some hilarious moments.
The book paints a touching picture of a worthy pair of hard-working Mid Westerners putting on a brave face and trying their darnedest to do their best with whatever comes their way.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

Dobbe writes "Only in India" in first person, and it brings her travels with her husband, Dan, to life. It's a powerful story that shines a light on the illegality of (foreign) educators in India. She writes "Hearing about (Michael) Jackson’s death at that particular moment gave me new perspective on our situation, and I knew that for the rest of my life, I would equate the time I left India with the moment I heard that the world had lost a much-loved musical genius." But it doesn't end there, and each word brings the reader into the author's mindset and experience. It shows the culture and diversity of the Indian people in contrast to Americans, men and women.
It's an amazing story.

[E.J. Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always in awe of people who are prepared to live and work in another country. The author and her husband headed to India to teach and dealt with incredible cultural differences and values during their year in that country. I loved the travel vignettes, so beautifully intertwined with day to day teaching travails, descriptions of puzzling customs, food and traditions. While it hasn't quite pushed India to the top of my travel list, this book certainly portrayed the land of the Taj Mahal and the River Ganges as a very interesting destination.

[Alesa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo to Jill Dobbe for so accurately describing the life of an expat teacher.

My favorite parts of this book were when Ms. Dobbe described the school she taught in near Delhi, and her living conditions. Having been in similar schools, I can attest to the accuracy of her portrayals. It's not all sunshine and roses, despite the great opportunities for travel and the cross-cultural learning experiences. And the politics in an international school can be very frustrating (and incomprehensible to a Westerner).

One particularly brilliant stroke was her decision to start the book with her departure from India. This brought dramatic tension to the story, since the reader knew from the outset that all would not end well.

The stories of traveling throughout India itself brought back many fond memories for me, and I'm thankful to the author for capturing them so well.

[Dee Paisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very realistic depiction of many differences in the cultures of India from a midwestern couple who teaches and administers in k-12 schools abroad. Made me sad to hear about the view from the trenches, but still inspires me to visit India someday.

[Misty D Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

A very enjoyable book to read! I loved the vivid descriptions and look forward to reading more from this writer!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the author and her husband, both educators have been able to do their work traveling the world.
I have always had a fascination with India, although I have never been there except for in the books I have read.
The couple were offered a job in India at a fairly new international school in the city of
Gurgaon , now known as (Gurugram), just southwest of New Delhi , Where the first year went fairly smoothly, starting off their second year was a different story.
The author writes very well, and the story flows beautifully as she tells us about their adventures in the country, from the day to day living at the school as well as traveling the country as they went sightseeing on their holiday breaks. It was fun to see the country through their eyes, and to experience the local customs, holidays, traditions etc. and learning some interesting facts, such as the types of clothing worn in different areas, the foods, the cast system, which they experienced first hand at the school where they taught.
I felt like I was there experiencing what they were, the sounds, colors, smells, tastes and topography of the country. She gives us insight into the history of the places they went, and always tried to mingle with the local people when they could.
You can tell they love what they do and the opportunities to visit and immerse themselves into different cultures. They seem to be always open and accepting of what comes their way.
Looking forward to their next adventure.

[J.L. Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel memoirs have been around at least since the Second Century A.D. when the Greek writer Pausanias wrote about traveling through Boetia, and recommended the best tavernas to find a good glass of retsina. Much later, no good Victorian could visit Brighton Beach or Timbuktu without writing a travelogue about their experience, and the genre ascended to the status of a legitimate literary category, much of it quite good. But not so much these days, when daily flights to everywhere have made the world a much smaller place and every point on the globe has a known GPS coordinate that even your elderly aunt has visited.

So here’s something new. Two adventurous American educators have made a career of not just visiting a place but working there as teachers for a few years and completely submerging themselves in the indigenous culture, cuisine and geography. ‘Only in India’ is, just as it sounds, a compilation of experiences that could only happen in that exotic and quixotic place. The book is alternately witty and poignant, and I actually finished the whole thing within a single 24 hour period ―my only complaint being that my budget does not currently allow for an airplane ticket to New Delhi. If you have ever wondered about why it is dangerous to jog in India due to gangs of ruffian monkeys, strange things that can occur when obtaining a driver’s license and any number of other unsuspected oddities, you will definitely enjoy this book. Namaste!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!
Jill and her husband, Dan, are two enterprising school administrators who have worked in schools all over the world. Jill has written several books about their travels.
I loved reading about their experiences of life in the cities, towns, and countryside of India with their Speedy-Gonzales driver careening recklessly over serpentine mountain roads on the way to their next adventure or snaking around cows and goats through the congested traffic of Gurgaon, where they lived and worked. I felt their fear of the ubiquitous, wild, thieving monkeys who would pop up anywhere and molest anyone they wanted, forming intimidating gangs like simian Al Capones.
Jill makes it easy to picture the beauty of the luxuriously-patterned, sparkling saris worn by even the poorest women, the dreamy mists of the mountains, and the likenesses of Hindu gods and the Buddha as they gaze out over throngs of temple visitors.
Her accounts of the religious ceremonies and festivals she and Dan witnessed made it seem almost as if I were there. I envied their experience of the Taj Mahal. And I admire the gentleness, patience, and welcoming nature of the Indian people.
I also admire these two brave souls who have followed their hearts, packing their children off with them to unknown but irresistibly fascinating worlds of adventure and joy.

[Reannon Muth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book to read if you're looking to travel to India or are simply looking for a little arm-chair travel. I've been to India and found myself nodding along through many of the author's tales about her and her husband's experience navigating India as foreigners, as I had many of the same experiences (especially the monkey attacks — India taught me that while monkeys may look cute, they can be ferocious little buggers).

I also learned a lot about India, which surprised me because I thought I already knew a lot about it.

The book definitely made me want to live abroad again and I'm envious of the author's life (she's taught in multiple countries). She makes expat life seem adventurous and fun, which I think can be attributed to the cheerful, optimistic tone she maintains throughout the story.

The ending made me want to read more from the author, as I see that she now lives in Honduras. I'd be curious to see how her teaching experience in Central America compares. I hope she continues writing.

This is a quick, light read and provides a good introduction to Indian culture and some of the towns and cities in the Northern region.

[Rhonda Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I really enjoyed this book!

When educators Jill and her husband leave Cairo bound for Gurgaon to embark on employment as lower and upper school principals, they find themselves in quite the predicament thus ultimately testing their patience and resilience to new world record levels.

With more than 13 years of overseas teaching and management experience, nothing could have prepared them for the elusive and diverse adventure in a country home to an estimated 330 million gods.

"Only in India" is jam-packed with unfiltered stories, brazen honesty, and profound moments of clarity offering a unique insight into the contradictory, quirky, and colorful country that is home to the Taj Mahal.

Self-discovery, intrigue and enlightenment as well as travel tips and advice fill the pages, a must-read for anyone who loves clever storytelling.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visiting another country can be both exciting and scary. Living there for any length of time even more so. In my travels, I've discovered that I've felt more culture shock upon returning home than I have from the countries I've visited. You expect things to be different when you visit a place with a different culture. But while there, it becomes more familiar to you. It's only when you return home to was "normal" before, that the differences really hit you. That's a bit about what the author seems to have experienced. The way of life in India is so different from our own (in the western world).

This was a great virtual trip for me as I've never been to India. It looks at the funny and sometimes terrifying events that the author and her husband experience while in the country. Never a dull moment. I grew up in a place where there are mostly white people, natives of both the state and country. About a decade ago, I started working at a place where many people from India worked -- either here on a work visa or those who had acquired their green cards. I found most of them passive, soft-spoken, and extremely polite.

From this book you will learn even more about the people and their lives, and their attitudes toward what is an every-day occurrence -- from monkeys to poverty to speed racing around narrow mountain roads. If you've ever wanted a closer look at India, you'll want to read this book.

Now... how do I do that head wobble so I don't have to commit to a yes or no?

[Iuliana Marchian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that truly immerses you in the spirit of traveling and the Indian vibe. I am a traveler myself and reading Jill's book I felt that I was traveling with her and Dan throughout India. You will go with them in Dalai Lama's Dharamsala, you will feel the tension when driving on mountain narrow roads, and you will even run a marathon with Dan on the outskirts of Gurgaon. I appreciated a lot the author's honesty about the true face of India - which comes with great festivals, colorful attires, and spicy dishes, but it also has a challenging and absurd traffic, arranged marriages that have nothing to do with love, and lots of beggars in the street. If you love traveling to 'exotic' places, with shocking cultures and a different lifestyle than Europe or America, then this book will show you a small corner of the world and an authentic Indian life. Totally recommend the book !

[Gerald Yeung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Dobbe’s previous book on Cairo, I was excited to learn about her teaching adventures in India.

Like in her other book, the author shared her challenges with her foreign, rural surroundings - the ant incident, the shoe shiner at Taj Mahal, to name a few - in light-hearted details. The author did a great job highlighting India’s penchant for traditions - the meaning of cow dung, the sacred river, etc - and didn’t hide her distaste for the country’s caste system. I thought it was a fun read where I also walked away with true insight into India’s culture.

I was intrigued by the author’s choice to open the book with virtually the ending. Some books end the first chapter on a cliffhanger to great effects. In this case, I felt it took some of the anticipation away for the readers.

[Lucinda Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

FASCINATING
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ve learned so much about India and the author describes it so well I felt I had been there with her. I am familiar with some Indian culture, but this book takes you deeper and explains the dress, behaviour and the lifestyles of a wide range of Indians. I especially admire her honest assessment of the problems such as begging, ill-treatment of the elephants and the damage that tourism can do in perpetuating these practices. It’s rare that people who have never visited at grass roots level understand behaviour, and I hope Ms Dobbe’s advice will be taken by future tourists. A fascinating read. If I have any criticism, it’s the cover which does not do justice to the book but still worth 5 stars.

[Joshua Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Jill Dobbe’s previous travel memoir, I couldn’t wait to pick up another one! Only in India contains all the humor and excitement that I’ve come to know Dobbe for. After being hired to teach at a school, Jill and her husband Dan discover that Indian life is filled with its own nuance and is crazy fast-paced right up until they were expelled from the country. I love the sense of the culture and environment Dobbe always conveys. If you’re looking for a bit of world adventure, check this one out!

[Pamdiana Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Jill's adventures in India! As someone who is an adventure traveler myself, including a trip through India, it brought me back to the sights, the sounds, the spice markets, the flurry of the traffic in the cities of my own travels. The spontaneous days of Jill and her family meeting new people from across the globe reminded me of the kindness of people in all different cultures. Jill is a skilled writer, and I look forward to reading much more of her work... Thanks for sharing your journey!

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and engaging, I enjoyed Jill Dobbe's account of her year teaching and traveling in India. She captured details well from the stunning colors, the magnificent architecture, and the cultural traditions to the often chaotic experience of actually living in India! Jill's writing has an easy flow to it. She takes you along for the ride.

[Christine Watt-Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her antidotes and am always eager to read Jill's adventures.

[Janna Ozzello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really interesting stories! Also some nice insight into Indian culture.

[Ella Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and engaging, I enjoyed Jill Dobbe's account of her year teaching and traveling in India. She captured details well from the stunning colors, the magnificent architecture, and the cultural traditions to the often chaotic experience of actually living in India! Jill's writing has an easy flow to it. She takes you along for the ride.

[T.R. Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the author’s memoir series. Within each Jill Dobbe shares experiences encountered by her and her family while on teaching engagements in foreign lands (Jill and her husband are teachers). As the title implies, this latest memoir recounts incidents from their stay in India.

Note: Though it may help to understand the family background and motivation for moving round the world on various teaching engagements, it is not necessary to have read the previous books. Each stands upon its own merits and it does not spoil a readers enjoyment to read each in isolation.

A well written, engaging memoir that carries the reader into the events and sights without effort. They certainly feel as if they are there, in the story, with the author and her family experiencing the difficulties and joys alongside them. The mix of everyday life and holiday encounters also provides for realistic settings and participants and characters are well rounded conveying personalities and idiosyncrasies in a manner that helps the reader visualise them. Scenery, aromas, colours, etc. along with the background of social, religious, political and cultural observances and attitudes are also well presented making this a truly informative memoir. The synopsis suggests it could be used as part travelogue and, in measure, probably could be. Indeed the reader learns a lot about India and its varied peoples and nationalities.

Thankfully, Jill and her husband are both blessed with a sense of humour which is just as well. Without it they may not have survived all the difficulties and unaccustomed attitudes encountered. Among the incidents rencountered with wit, in this third memoir, are: being overrun by ants; the author’s husband having to manoeuvre round monkeys blocking his running path; and trekking to purchase a Tibetan doll (having naively perhaps, thought the destination was just round the corner). Unfortunately, there are also the more horrendous observations of abuse and manipulation such as, parents intentionally maiming their children to get more from the begging they are forced to do.

It would spoil it for potential readers to say much more. Anyone who has the least interest in India or just in memoirs, is recommended to read this book.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in a series of international adventures, Jill continues to travel, now without kids. She keeps up the same level of humor and quirky side of travel you rarely read about. This book is down-to-earth and gets at the heart of why travel is so important: being in an entirely new world forces you to trust others, let your guard down, and become humbled by stepping out of ones comfort zone. Even more, doing all of this with someone you love can be the ultimate adventure (or disaster to laugh about later). Jill brings this side to life through her latest book. Can't wait to read the fourth!

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and funny stories about their year in northern India.

I have read another of this author's books about spending time as an educator overseas. That book was okay but I liked this one much more. Why? I read her book about Cairo which seems interesting but it's not one of the places that is on my bucket list and her stories did not sway me otherwise. This book was about India. Even though India has not been on my bucket list, she includes her travels to Himalayan hill towns in northern India. Now, I want to visit those hill towns of Reshikesh, Manali, and Shimla. The adventures of hiking and river rafting sounds like fun. Her husband even went paragliding for the first time and loved it. This area is inhabited with Tibetan refugees and their culture.

Jill Dobbe and her husband were hired as principals for a new international school in Gurgaon which is outside of New Delhi in northern India. Their contract was for 2 years but they only spent 1 year because of visa issues the second year. I'm glad to hear that they wanted to abide by India's immigration laws and not skirt the law as the school's owners wanted. for this reason, they left India after only 1 year. But, they accomplished a lot in their one year.

Her stories were about the sacred animals of India, probably more sacred than the human life. Cows, pigs, and monkeys in the streets. At first they were amused by the monkeys but soon learned the mischievous monkeys are really pests and a nuisance. Other stories included the types of food they ate and even the one time they had food poisoning. It would have been nice if the author included some recipes.

I enjoyed this book about their everyday life and their travels in northern India.