A snapshot from my last international experience in Tynset, Norway
In just two short weeks, I will be sitting in a southbound plane heading for a tropical paradise called Belize, which has long been regarded for its astounding diversity in numerous cultural aspects, from ethnicity, to food, to wildlife. And even though I am incredibly excited for my first tropical experience, I would like to take my time throughout this blog post to reflect on the journey that I’ve taken since enrolling in this class.
The first lesson that I learned was the importance of research prior to going abroad. Throughout the duration of our course, my classmates and I have delved into Belizean history, which is surprisingly extensive considering that Belize is a relatively young country. This history has laid the foundation for the cultural climate of Belize today. For example, Belize had comparatively “relaxed” relations between slaves and slave masters. This has ultimately contributed to incredibly ethnic and racial diversity of Belize. Researching the area or country that you plan to visit prior to leaving the United State is critical for the prevention of culture shock.
The second lesson that I have learned is the intriguing history of the Mayan people and their dynamic society. We had an extensively accomplished retired Penn State professor come to a recent class meeting to discuss ancient Mayan history with us. Dr. Webster was a truly remarkable man with an admirable passion for his field. One of the most interesting and impactful aspects of ancient Mayan culture that we learned about from Dr. Webster was the overarching importance of maize to the Mayan people. It was simply fascinating how much the Mayan people relied upon maize for spiritual, economic, and nutritional reasons. Maize truly was their staple crop, even though it wasn’t the most substantial when referring to nutritional content. Maize was so important to them, that their kings would include it as part of their official titles, and they worshipped maize gods. As an agriculture major, especially someone who is considering a minor in agronomy, I find it fascinating to see the role that staple crops have served in the development of ancient societies such as the Maya.
The last lesson that I have learned is sincerity. Be sincere in your intentions, be sincere in your interactions, and be sincere with your curiosity. I learned this critical lesson from our first guest speaker, Abdir, who spoke about always keeping an attitude of “sincere, authentic curiosity.” Even though my classmates and I will be immersed in a completely new culture, our genuine quest for knowledge and understanding of Belizean society will foster a positive learning environment during our time in Belize.
I truly can’t wait to partake in such a life changing experience. One of the aspects of the trip that I have been looking forward to the most is the on-farm visits that are scheduled during the trip. I plan to ask many questions to the Belizean farmers, because I’m curious to see how Belizean production methods differ from American production methods. I know that when I leave the States, my “Global Citizen Toolbox” will be well-equipped, complete with historical knowledge, prior research, and absolute sincerity. Belize here I come!
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