NWNY volunteer profiles: Divya Ramesh, 29, blog contributor
New Women New Yorkers is run by a staff of volunteers. Some work on outreach initiatives to spread the word about the organization’s mission, while others work on the blog team or facilitate events and workshops — among a variety of other jobs. We want to introduce you to each of our fantastic volunteers, one by one.
Divya Ramesh, 29, originally from India, is currently based in Harrison, NJ. With a background in publishing and journalism, she is a writer and editor, and has been volunteering as a blog contributor for NWNY since November 2016.
What inspired you to volunteer for NWNY?
Volunteering as a writer for NWNY gives me an opportunity to do what I really enjoy doing. Also, my move from India to New York was very smooth: I had friends and family in the US when I relocated, and I moved here with my husband who had been living here for a few years. But if a person moves here alone, particularly without knowing the English language, it can be challenging. So, I wanted to contribute to an organization that is trying to make the experience as smooth as possible for women taking the brave step.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when you first moved to the US?
The first challenge was finding a good apartment. That took a while, but we managed to find a great place. The other very big challenge for me was my restrictive, dependent (H4) visa. The H4 visa does not allow one to work, and having worked full time back in India, it was very difficult for me to remain at home. But I found meaningful volunteering opportunities very quickly, and later started grad school. But the first couple of months were tough.
What is one cultural habit that you picked up since you came to live here?
The endless number of interestingly dressed people on the subway amused me in my initial days here, and I couldn’t stop staring at them! But now, like all New Yorkers, I give these colorful people only a casual glance, before returning to my phone.
What is a dish that you like to cook from your home country?
I cannot live without chapattis (thin pancake-like bread made of whole wheat that is usually had with vegetables), a staple food in north India. I learned to make chapattis after I moved here, and I make sure that our kitchen is stocked with them at all times.
What is your greatest survival skill in NYC?
I ensure that my mobile phone is fully charged before I step out, because I need google maps to navigate through the city. Google maps has truly been a savior.
Do you have any advice you could offer someone else who is immigrating to NYC?
Give New York City some time before you decide that the city is over-hyped. I made that mistake. But the charm of the city slowly grew on me, and now I love it. I know that I will miss New York’s quirkiness when it is time for me to move back to India.
What has your experience working with NWNY meant to you?
It is a great experience to work with women from diverse backgrounds, and to listen to their inspiring stories of survival. And as someone who is particularly passionate about women’s empowerment, it is very satisfying for me to work for an organization that’s striving to help women.
