Posts

Predeparture

Growing up with family members in another country has always shaped how I saw traveling. I think a lot of stigma around United States citizens traveling comes from our attitude towards what we see as tourist attractions. We think that other countries are like amusement parks, set up to cater to our needs. However, other countries do not exist for our enjoyment, they are people’s homes. Traveling somewhere new and learning about their history is a privilege. We should always think of the experience as a gift and thank those who were able to share it with us. My first experience abroad was to visit my family in Germany and learn about where my Omi (Grandmother) grew up. I saw it as a chance to visit her home and now I approach every trip this way.
On a trip in Chile just two years ago I discovered just how easy it can be to fall into the stigma. At a hostile in Santiago while checking in we were asked where we were from and I replied America. In my head this was a perfectly reasonable response, but a friend pointed out my error. We often refer to ourselves as American, and from America, however the Americas are continents that encase far more than just the United States. Referring to ourselves in this manner plays right into the ignorant and thoughtless stigma. I think the easiest way to combat this is to always be aware of how you present yourself, and to be open to criticism from others. Traveling is an experience to learn about new places, but also to learn about yourself.
I decided to enroll in the program to the UK because I was taught by my family that to live a full life you must see more than just the experiences of yourself and those around you. This opportunity to learn about the differences between our countries, I hope, will make me a more well-rounded individual and nurse. One who is open to new ideas and who can better understand and empathize with patients from all backgrounds. As we travel and learn as a group, I hope to contribute my travel experience but more importantly my positive attitude to the group. I think that approaching adversity as a chance to learn helps inspire others to think more about what they are gaining rather than what they are losing.

Valparaiso, Chile (2018)