Service Learning in Guatemala 2014
This photo serves to be the artifact for my Service Learning Trip in Guatemala. The reason this photo was chosen because it sums up a lot of the key points I took away from this trip. For one, it shows how happy people can be with so little and reminds me at the same time how similar we as people are even continent to continent. It also represents how powerful giving back is and how learning and using a language can truly allow you to connect with people on a more personal level.
What?
In the summer of 2014 I spent 4 weeks in Antigua, Guatemala immersing myself in both the language and culture of Guatemala. This trip was lead by UC faculty and involved me taking classes, volunteering and of course traveling and embracing all parts of the culture.
So What?
The experiences I developed on this trip were par to none. They directly correlated with Jason Silva's idea of the advantage of being awestruck (http://vimeo.com/46264514). As a whole, the perspective that this trip gave me really opened my eyes and gave me appreciation for my life and all the privileges I have back in the United States. Not only that, but this trip also really improved my Spanish speaking ability. On top of that, I was also able to understand how unique and evident a language barrier can be. In reality, speaking the native language made me realize how much value linguistics really has in our society.
Now What?
My Spanish speaking ability has grown enormously since the trip and not only that, but my passion and love for the language has grown even more. My hope is that I can continue to use my Spanish and improve it even more by reading books in spanish, watching shows in spanish and even talking with more native speakers. My eventual goal will be to become a certified medical translator, which would directly apply to my prospective goals.
In the summer of 2014 I spent 4 weeks in Antigua, Guatemala immersing myself in both the language and culture of Guatemala. This trip was lead by UC faculty and involved me taking classes, volunteering and of course traveling and embracing all parts of the culture.
So What?
The experiences I developed on this trip were par to none. They directly correlated with Jason Silva's idea of the advantage of being awestruck (http://vimeo.com/46264514). As a whole, the perspective that this trip gave me really opened my eyes and gave me appreciation for my life and all the privileges I have back in the United States. Not only that, but this trip also really improved my Spanish speaking ability. On top of that, I was also able to understand how unique and evident a language barrier can be. In reality, speaking the native language made me realize how much value linguistics really has in our society.
Now What?
My Spanish speaking ability has grown enormously since the trip and not only that, but my passion and love for the language has grown even more. My hope is that I can continue to use my Spanish and improve it even more by reading books in spanish, watching shows in spanish and even talking with more native speakers. My eventual goal will be to become a certified medical translator, which would directly apply to my prospective goals.