Uncovering the Future in the Past

 

I participated in the World War II (WWII) Study Abroad Program for my STEP project. This program originally appealed to me because it toured four different countries, France, England, Germany, and Poland and focused on a war that was so influential in shaping the present day global political climate. This trip ended up being so much more than I could have imagined once it was completed.

I had always had an interest in WWII, but this trip enabled me to see the realities of the war, the people and places it touched, and its effects across the European continent. Most importantly, it allowed me to see the events of this war through the perspectives of countries other than America. WWII had been raging for over 2 years before America’s involvement, and to see the memory of the war from countries involved from the beginning, truly enhanced my knowledge of WWII as a global war. My time at the beaches of Normandy was one of the most enjoyable on the trip as well as the most eye-opening. Looking at the remains of the mulberry harbors and standing in the artillery craters at Pointe du Hoc made the intensity of the D-Day landings much more apparent than they had previously been to me.

Cliffs at Pointe du Hoc

It will never cease to amaze me how such a beautiful area was ravaged by the crossfire of the Allies against the Germans. Normandy was also the area in which I was first able to see some of the ways the Allies negatively affected the continent with the bombings and destruction of cities that preceded and continued through the invasion. In this area, there is a real struggle between being grateful to the Allies for releasing them from Nazi control and the dread of the carnage and death that came with the removal of Nazis. This dual perspective of this one event has come to mind numerous times when looking at present day global headlines. Every action has a positive and negative effect for the individuals affected by it.

While I definitely increased my academic knowledge as a result of this trip, I was also able to learn more about myself on an individual level. I have found that I am more patient than I believed myself to be and that I remain unusually calm when lost abroad. I traveled on this trip with twenty-two other students and was able to learn, in some ways, just as much from them as I did from the places we visited. Many students in college, myself included, feel pressured to be competitive with their peers. Within conversation, there always seems to be a small battle to see who has the better, major, internship, or research position. These conversations generally leave me feeling like I’m not doing enough which at times can be a motivator to push myself harder but they always add unnecessary stress. Being on this trip with so many phenomenal students who were all incredibly intelligent and working to progress their future career goals, I was a quite intimidated. As time went on and people became more comfortable with each other, I began to realize that feelings of doubt were present in all of us. None of us really knew if what we were doing was going to make us competitive in graduate school or if our internships would lead into a more permanent job after school. I’ve heard so many times that no one has their life all figured out, but seeing my classmates, who I view very highly, has made me more assured of myself. It’s easier now to look introspectively and see that I don’t need to use all of my energy trying to be better than everyone else, I simply need to be the best I can be.

This development of self-reassurance is what I believe will honestly be my biggest take away from this trip. I left Europe feeling more than ever that I needed to reevaluate the path for my future. This may seem counterintuitive but for all of my college career, I have felt like I needed to continue on the same path that I started just after graduating high school and with none of the experiences that I have had since attending college. I pigeonholed myself on the path to becoming a doctor and I don’t even know if that is something I really want or if it is something I was told I should want. I still have interest in medicine as a future career goal, but traveling in Europe and seeing the differences in lifestyle, the increased prevalence and preference for red meat and most notably, the casual use of cigarettes, made me realize I have potential passions in other aspects of health than just practicing medicine. Rather than just letting these interests fade to the background of medicine, I want to work to really develop both areas so I can decide the best path for me. I have accepted the fact that this could have implications on when I am ready and able to apply to medical school should I choose to do so, and I know that should I choose to go to graduate school for public health or health communications, I will probably have to take extra classes during summer break. Even though I don’t know exactly which plan is the best for me, I have never felt so sure that taking the time to figure out what is best for me and not what everyone else thinks is best, will only reap benefits for my future.

 

Study Abroad: Europe in May

The U.S., Europe, and the Second World War- Interactions in the 20th Century Program is a month long study abroad trip geared toward understanding the effect World War II had on international relations and foreign policy. Throughout the month of May, I traveled to England, France, Poland, and Germany visiting museums, monuments, and other important national landmarks. I immersed myself in many different cultures and learned a lot about what makes each country’s experience with WW II unique and ongoing.

 While abroad, I was struck by many differences in each of the countries I visited. However, the thing that surprised me the most about Europe was the change of pace. Living in the U.S. my entire life, I have become accustomed to the hectic, busy lifestyle that most Americans lead. I am used to fast casual dining places and restaurants that seat customers quickly and try to feed them, bus the table, and welcome a new family as fast as possible. I am used to walking down the street and seeing everyone’s faces in their phones, always trying to keep up with the latest gossip, news, and current events. In Europe, restaurants placed an emphasis on relaxing, enjoying friends’ company, and taking time to really savor each meal. It felt odd but refreshing to not be offered the bill immediately upon completion of a meal, and I felt at ease as I sat and just enjoyed the scenery or chatted with other people in my program. Until I got to Europe I had not realized that I was racing through life, barely giving myself a chance to reflect on what is constantly going on around me, but as soon as I got back to Ohio (even when I was in the Boston airport), I felt my blood pressure go up and the familiar feeling of holding my breath as I tried to complete as many tasks as possible.

I was also very surprised at the differences in people skills that each continent possesses. As I walked through the streets of France, or people watched in Germany, I noticed that almost no one was in a hurry or using their phones. When I got lunch or dinner, I noticed that locals actually took the time to look at their companions in the eye, didn’t interrupt the conversation to answer a phone call, and weren’t scrolling through Twitter as they waited for their food to arrive. This took a couple of days to get used to, but after I did, I realized how much I was missing out on. With the constant interruption of a cell phone, I had not realized that I was missing out on making deep connections with those around me, and that I was hardly having conversations with new people. Europeans consistently emphasized the importance of hospitality, and usually went out of their way to help me with directions, offer good restaurant suggestions, or just ask how my trip was in general. Since coming back to the U.S., I have made a real effort to minimize my cell phone use while in my friends’ company, and I have noticed a huge (very positive) difference in how our time is spent with one another.

 

This trip completely opened my eyes to how massive the world is. Before embarking on this journey, I thought of Europe in the abstract; I though of each country as having one culture, one demographic, one language, and one way of doing things. I realize now how narrow-minded that was, because after immersing myself in what each country had to offer, I can see that every city has its own wonderfully rich history and culture. The difference between Bayeux and Paris was astounding, especially because they are only a couple of hours away from each other. Meeting some of the local people also helped me understand the different impact that WW II had and continues to have on each country. I was born on American soil over 50 years after the war ended and had no relatives fight in the war, and therefore remain relatively unaffected by what occurred in Europe from 1939-1945. However, seeing the grave sites of soldiers buried in different memorial gardens, listening to the more personal stories of locals and my classmates alike, and planting flags at the graves of former Buckeyes really put into perspective just how devastating WW II was for most families.

   

          While sightseeing in each country, I couldn’t help but notice how different museums seemed to focus on different moments of the war than I would have expected. Although museums tried to tell a complete picture of the war, I noticed that each exhibit seemed to have a separate agenda that catered to its own achievements and own contributions to the war. This is obviously to be expected, but it definitely reminded me of the power of persuasion. I felt my points of view changing as I left each museum and am very thankful that I was able to receive an international education. My classmates and I also noticed this bias when it came to talking to tour guides, locals, and even waiters that had a specific interest in the war. It was a reminder of human nature, and how everyone wants to feel that they, or their country, was hugely successful in winning a battle, influencing a decision, or introducing a treaty.

The different perspectives, educational outlets, and comradery that I found in Europe made this experience unlike any other. As I was exposed to new things, I was able to learn a lot more about what I like and dislike, about how I interact with new people and cultures, and about how I respond to adversity. I came back to the U.S. more confidant and comfortable with myself, knowing that I can handle anything life throws at me. This trip has definitely re-fueled my desire to travel and learn, and has allowed me to grow and mature in a very natural, exciting way. I came back to the U.S. overflowing with stories to tell my family and friends about all the spectacular things I had seen and done while abroad, but also made me extremely thankful for the place I get to call home and for all the people I have in my life.

 

My study abroad opened my eyes to how much of the world I still have to see, how many lessons I still need to learn, and how a different perspective can make all the difference. After a challenging semester, diving into something new and experiencing so many informative and exciting things, meeting so many new people, and making so many amazing memories was exactly what I needed to re-energize and re-focus on my remaining two years at Ohio State. Traveling Europe was an experience like no other, and I am still in shock over how many quintessential landmarks and monuments I was able to see in person. I am also very appreciative of my deeper, more comprehensive understanding of WW II and the impact it continues to have on the world. Seeing the damage and hurt that still lives in the corners of Europe was a stoic reminder that war is a very horrible, ugly thing. I know that this lesson will serve as an ever-present reminder to choose peace and love over hate and bigotry as I eventually take on the professional world. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for everyone I know that helped make my dream a reality. This truly was the experience of a lifetime.

Linked are blogs that I wrote during my time abroad:

http://u.osu.edu/wwiihistorytour/author/Harriman-27/

The Gift of Education

Next Stop: Choluteca!

From May 8th-23rd, 2017 I traveled with a group of students from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences to Choluteca, Honduras. This education abroad was focused on community development and education. The majority of the students within the group aspire to serve as Agricultural Educators and FFA Advisors in rural communities following their time at The Ohio State University. During our time in country we completed agricultural tours, visited primary and vocational agriculture schools, and completed a variety of service projects such as laying concrete, painting classrooms, preparing and serving meals, and teaching school children how to plant a garden.

A New Perspective

When you walk across campus at The Ohio State University you can hear a multitude of languages, view a variety of styles, and engage in a plethora of vibrant cultures. Before coming to Ohio State, I was unaware of the diversity in our world, and it’s potential to create lasting change. During my time in Honduras I was challenged in a variety of ways, and pushed out of my comfort zone. My thinking was reframed, and I began to view our lifestyle, our privileges, even our immigration policy with a new perspective. Perhaps the biggest transformation I experienced relates to the value of education. I watched the vocational agriculture teacher at the Apacilagua School share a front-facing camera with his students for a selfie. Their reflections displayed commonalities and variations; however, from an outside perspective, it illustrated awakened potential and an investment.

Education has the power to uplift people and societies for several reasons. But ultimately, it has this power because of those who give the gift of learning and more importantly those who take the time to show others their worth. Witnessing educators in Honduras has left me with more questions than answers, but it also has given me faith that despite the challenges a teacher’s impact isn’t measured by their resources, only by their compassion. Teaching students with empty stomachs and worn uniforms in a classroom with hot temperatures and zero school supplies is a reality. Having a teacher who treats you like a feral animal, switches you until you scream, only shows up to class two days a week, and continues to receive a government paycheck with 100% job security is also a reality. Students of this country have dreams that were planted by hearts of the selfless and strong. In Honduras I witnessed the power, responsibility, and future we all share when we intentionally shine our light onto others.

Challenged and Changed

While in Honduras we had the opportunity to visit a variety of education programs and work alongside students in completing improvement projects. It was during these interactions I became challenged and changed in my perspectives, and was forced to think about the reality of Honduran education. Below are excerpts from my personal journal written while in country that capture my transformation and paradigm shift when observing education in a developing, Hispanic country.

5-10-17 Choluteca Vocational School
“Leslie sharing about the map her mother had found in the trash and then hung in their house was the most powerful moment for me today. This very simple act and her mother telling her to wait to get married, and planting dreams about seeing the world, and realizing how small Honduras is, and how much is out there to know and understand made Leslie who she is today. This made me think about what my parents have done for me to get me where I am today, and how this very simple and small act of revealing Leslie’s potential, and reminding her of her worth has changed her life forever. To see the sacrifices, her and her husband make to send their children to the “second best school” made me realize how important it is to have access to education. Hearing how they enforce their children to learn English, and how they want to better themselves not for themselves but for their fellow Hondurans is inspiring, and is the true definition of servant leadership.”

5-11-17 Apacilagua Primary School
“My favorite part of the day was watching the promateras talk in the classrooms with the children about nutrition, the different food groups, and asking them to shout out their answers. I was able to clearly connect this action with the extension programs we have within the United States. I also saw so much room for growth. I was amazed at how well behaved all of the students were in the classroom, but also was made aware of the heat, the hungry stomachs, the lack of resources and supplies, and the other obstacles in the way of these student’s success. It is hard enough to get students to focus at home, and here they placed a high value on the opportunity to go to school to have the uniform, and to become part of this group, and this collective that they strive for in the Honduran culture.”

“I really enjoyed what Dr. Cano shared about having to be born with the heart to teach, and one of the main problems with education in the US is that teachers do not live in the communities where they work. I think this is so incredibly true, and that as agricultural educators we have the unique opportunity to be engaged within our communities and to know our students and their families on a personal level.”

5-16-17 Siete de Mayo Primary School
“Today pushed me mentally, emotionally, and physically. This morning viewing the conditions of the kitchen and the home were heartbreaking to me, and I couldn’t help but feel “unclean” throughout the day. I almost have felt like I am on an episode of survivor the way everyone hasn’t been feeling their best, me included. Sam and I made the brave decision to go to the bathroom behind the outhouse because we almost threw up opening the curtain. Chopping vegetables next to the fire was a strenuous job – one that I only had to do today, not every day of my life. I watched the older women at the house chop firewood with a dull machete and in her sandals while also caring for a baby and helping with the cooking. I admire her strength to keep going, but also realized she has no other option.”

“It was hard for me to deny children who would almost attack me asking for more stickers, especially the ones who didn’t even attend the school. I watched a girl in the classroom hide her first plate and be delivered a second one. Dr. Cano wanted us to take it back away from her, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I heard him tell us all not to feed the children who don’t attend school and I felt bad, but also relieved that we were at least attempting to encourage their education, and display positive reinforcement. I still struggled seeing kids who weren’t at the school begging for us to give them food. I saw the skinniest person I have ever witnessed in real life at the school this afternoon. A very young girl walked back after receiving her shot and her arms looked so thing and so fragile and so malnourished that it turned my stomach. I felt as if I was watching an old film from the Holocaust.”

5-18-17 Apacilagua Vocational School
“At first Sam and I were excluded from the boy’s game and were only playing pass with a small group of younger boys who were also excluded from the official game. We were given high-fives and they were passing it to us to head it back to them and work on our juggling skills. They were so fun to be around, and we shared many laughs over our terrible passes! Later when we had our official game with the agricultural students it was the most fun I’ve had while in Honduras. I loved having the opportunity to be a role model for the girls at the school by showing them that we can play, and play well! It was so funny to watch both Sam and I take the ball from one of the Hondurans and how crushed they were that a girl had beaten them. We may have hurt their pride a little bit, but us playing encouraged them to invite girls into the game with them, and later proved while digging the trench that we are just as capable! Our gringos on three cheer was pretty awesome as well…

“I was really excited later that day that Tara asked for my help talking to Roxanna, one of the students at the school in the agricultural program. From the moment, I was introduced into that conversation I had the chance to communicated with the students the rest of the afternoon. It was a weird feeling today to go back and forth between two languages and to at least for the most part understand what they were saying back to me, it was like a giant wall had been lifted! I am very proud of Paul and Tara for being confident enough to start those conversations. Towards the end of the day it was very fun to be asked to be in photos with them, and talk to some of the boys we played soccer with, they were surprised that Tara and I could communicate with the group. Watching their vocational agriculture teacher interact with the students made me think of my own advisor, they were trying their best to get him in their selfie and you could just tell the admiration from the students. I gained a whole new appreciation for him when Dr. Cano shared that his first year he worked for free! His dedication to his students reflected the dedication I received from my advisor and the dedication I see in many ag ed advisors!”

5-19-17 Boca de Viejo Primary School
“Hearing about the school absolutely broke my heart. Teachers should be uplifting and inspiring, discipline is certainly part of their role, but not cruel or underserved punishment. The teacher beats the children until they scream like we heard walking from the beach. Yet he is paid by the government to be there, and has no risk of ever losing his job. The parents are just relieved to have a break from their parents. It is true, if children are treated like wild animals, they will act as such, and today it was obvious that they did act as if they were feral. Only having school two days a week, spending every bit of their class time in an effort to control their behavior, trying to learn on empty stomachs in a terrible learning environment. These children aren’t receiving any quality education. And then hearing that the number of children has been reduced to almost half is scary to me. Where did they go? Their stories will never be known on an island where births and deaths aren’t recorded.”

“One thing I found really interesting was the instructions to do my best to teach the children the concept of throwing their trash away. We learn by observing, and in the US we know from a very early age to put things in the trashcan at home. Here it was obvious by the litter throughout the town and the beach that this concept never crosses their mind. I never thought of trash bags and trash cans as a luxury item until I came to Honduras. I noticed that soon as I started picking up the white backings to their stickers, some of the children did the same. I also noticed if I was super positive, and overexaggerated how great they were for putting their trash in the bag I was carrying around, if I could get them to smile, and other students were watching, they were eager to do the same. It reminded me of how powerful role models can be in anyone’s life, and I hope today we were able to do that for some of those children.”

Inspiration to Act

My experience at The Ohio State University has been defined by my time spent out of the country. Studying abroad opened my eyes to a new perspective, and an increased desire to serve others; specifically, to develop youth and communities through agriculture. As a rising junior and Agriscience Education major I believe this program enabled me to become a better student, educator, and difference-maker. Going into the field of education I know that I will have the opportunity to positively influence tomorrow’s youth each and every day. I understand my education isn’t for me, but instead for the students who I will work with every day. It is my responsibility to make the most of my college experiences so I can motivate and encourage those around me to discover their own unique talents and achieve their definition of success. I want to inspire my students in rural communities with a global perspective and hearts of service.

Now I will be able to share personal experiences from working in the schools of Honduras. In addition, the growth I’ve experienced while building my Spanish language skills will allow me to connect with more students both abroad in and Ohio. Currently, I hope to teach within a district that is filled with Hispanic influence, migrant labor, and English as a Second Language students. It is my goal to make my classroom community more inclusive to these students and to serve as a community resource in overcoming the language barrier. Attending this trip to Honduras provided me with several personal growth opportunities and a chance to serve as a stronger catalyst for others. In addition, I was able to refine my passion and implement it in my honors research project. Completing research based on the impacts of international experience on educators will prepare me for graduate course work and strengthen my cultural competency. Without the opportunity to study abroad with The Ohio State University and STEP program I wouldn’t have discovered my future goal, affirmed my career choice, or realized my passion for using my agricultural background to make a difference in the life of others. If we only saw the world as perfect, how would we have the motivation to make ourselves and the community around us better?

You can read more about our adventures in Honduras by checking out the group blog, which can be found here.

Study Abroad Trip to England & Wales

My name is Sedona Cady, and I chose to study abroad in England and Wales for the last two weeks of May. This class focused on the construction and history of castles and cathedrals in these two countries. Sites that we visited included Stonehenge, Old Sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Harlech Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Conwy Castle, Peveril Castle, York Minster, the City of York, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and West Minster Abbey. My project involved researching Old Sarum and giving a tour on the site.

Before enrolling in this course, I had never been across the Atlantic Ocean. My first experience in the United Kingdom opened my eyes to distant traveling. Endurance was essential while traveling abroad, for we had to stay engaged while covering a lot of ground during the trip. Although I felt exhausted at the end of each day, I also felt fulfilled and happy about the memories I made. Planning this trip carefully helped to create smooth traveling, and for future vacations, I hope to make itineraries and budget lists to organize my temporal and monetary budgets.

Additionally, I noticed that learning the background information about the sites made the experiences so much more meaningful and memorable. Each student that presented displayed enthusiasm about their project, and I also felt motivated to learn as much as I could about my site, Old Sarum. Researching the site online and looking at pictures excited me about the trip, but seeing everything in person caused me to connect my readings with the actual place. While traveling through the castles and cathedrals, I made more connections while listening to my peers speak about the histories. I tried to compare my own experience living in a house under the modern American government with the medieval governments of England and Wales. I feel grateful for the freedom and protection I possess in my life today.

During this trip, we talked about how and why castles and cathedrals we visited were constructed. Castles served to intimidate, whereas cathedrals were to showcase grandeur of the church. The stone of the castle could span 12 feet thick, and the entrances would have various traps to prevent invaders from entering the structure. Comparing this to my own dwelling, my family does not have these protective measures. Today’s technology allows for more sophisticated locks and other protective mechanisms. It is interesting to imagine living in a castle with a fear of other people overpowering my family or overthrowing our government.

Salisbury Cathedral

Walking through the cathedrals, I could not help but imagine what it would be like to design the intricate carvings and beautiful stained glass within the structures. Patience and perseverance radiated in every detail of the decorations. First walking into Salisbury Cathedral took my breath away, for its size was daunting yet gorgeous. Despite extreme weather, natural deterioration, and the added weight of the spire, the church still stood tall above the little town of Salisbury. Careful preservation methods are taken to keep the cathedral running, but it was engineered to retain beauty and power against natural elements. The local people of Salisbury appreciated the building regardless of their attendence because it symbolized the origin and community of Salisbury. They felt connected because long ago this daunting structure united people together and stimulated the growth of Salisbury. I wish that my community had a landmark like this, to unite my neighbors together with a common history. It seemed like community members here preserved the local history much better than where I grew up, in Illinois. This idea gave me the hope to one day look more into my own community’s history, in both Chicago and Columbus.

The friends that I made along the way made this study abroad program special. Experiencing the locations with others allowed me to discuss more about what the structures meant to me and how they compared to each other. Laughing along with new friends created stronger bonds between us, and we all appreciated having other students to relate to. After returning to campus in the fall, I hope to continue to build these new relationships.

After studying abroad, I realized how traveling unravels excitement. In the future, I would love to incorporate traveling into my life, either through vacations or through my career. Before traveling to a certain location, however, I plan to do basic research on the location’s history to get an idea of its importance. This background information could help me to make more connections to new places, thus understanding the current culture more as well.

London Bridge

I have lived in a suburban, American community for my entire life, and sometimes it feels as though I do not have enough perspective on other cultures. My trip to England and Wales gave me a new sense of how people embrace pride: pride for a country and pride for roots. I appreciate the patriotism in America, how my friends and family all feel proud to be Americans. However, many other Americans do not hold family or local history close to their hearts like many from the United Kingdom. Someday, I hope to learn more about my family’s roots as well as my local town’s history. This would create a new, more appreciative view of where I grew up and how it can be improved.

Overall, I really enjoyed this travel experience, and I know my peers did as well. As an aspiring engineer, I understand that I was lucky to have traveled to England and Wales, given my personal time and money constraints.  Second-year Transformational Experience Program has helped me to step outside of my core engineering classes and finance a study abroad experience, opening my mind to new cultures; for this, I am grateful. Someday, I hope to attend grad school for neural engineering, and I understand that my life will be stressful. After experiencing this trip, I have an increased desire to have a well-balanced life, and I hope that I can find a way to learn about other subjects in addition to science and research. I hope to travel to new places and learn about cultures that differ from my own. I hope to meet new people and not fear trying something new. I hope to learn as much as I can and be grateful for every opportunity.

Chepstow Castle

STEP Reflection: Education Abroad in London, England

My STEP signature project was an education abroad program for the month of May in London, England called Literature and Culture of London. During my trip, my group and I traveled around London and the surrounding English countryside reading classic works of British literature and learning the history that shaped Great Britain’s modern culture. This was the first time I have ever left the country and I must say, it was an incredible learning experience. Learning about the origins of Britain really taught me about how small things in history can have a substantial impact on the years to come. One of the biggest realizations I had while in London is how interconnected the world is, for better or for worse. Finally, this trip and the hurdles it set before me showed me that I am able to be independent in the world secure in myself even in a place thousands of miles away from home.

One thing that London taught me was the incredible impact of our actions on the future came from a very unusual historical figure. By talking about her in class and seeing her portrayed on stage at Shakespeare’s New Globe Theater, my class and I became very familiar with a woman named Nell Gwynn. Nelly Gwynn was many things, including an orange seller, a prostitute, an actress, and a mistress to King Charles II. Because of one woman deciding she would take a chance, Gwynn is remembered today as the very first female actress and forever changes the course of acting and entertainment. Learning about Nell Gwynn made me realize just how important our actions are today and how going against the norm can create many positive outcomes in the future.

During our last week in class, we focused on the modern and multicultural aspects of London and how they affect not only British life, but all of the world. One topic that is widely debated in Europe today is the current refugee crisis due to the war in Syria and Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. We discussed many angles of the problem in class, including how to support refugees while also taking security into consideration and I found myself totally amazed at how I never before really gave these issues a lot of thought. I’ve always known that they are issues, but since I was from a country not directly affected or affected in the same way, I had never truly searched for an answer. I think that this discussion in London made me realize that it is easy (and wrong) to ignore pressing issues if my way of life will not be immediately changed and I’ve become more aware of world events because of it.

Overall, I know that England isn’t all that different than the US and it’s very accessible to Americans thanks to the English language, but the experience of living in a foreign country made me a lot more confident and secure in myself. This was my first time ever leaving the country and I succeeded in becoming accustomed to British culture by trying new foods, navigating my own way through the city, and making friends with local people. By the end of the month, I felt like I could legitimately live in London without a problem even though I lived in the Ohio countryside for the majority of my life. Some people look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them this because they have heard of the horrifying terrorist violence that has been plaguing Europe, but that’s only because they haven’t learned what I have during my time in London. What I’ve learned is that the most important thing is not to run from fear, but to live and travel and meet people anyway, despite the risk.

When I came home from Europe, I’ll be totally honest in saying that I was glad to be back. But I know that the lessons I’ve learned while I was away will stay with me far into my future and benefit me in many ways. Even though my future plan is to work in the medical field, I truly believe that what I’ve taken away from this experience — understanding history, the impact of our choices on the future, a wider worldview, and confidence in myself — will surely be necessary. It is critical for professionals of all types be not only able but willing to connect to people of all backgrounds and this is exactly what my education abroad experience has given me.

Here’s a link to the blog that I kept while in London. Check it out!
www.dearhumansite.wordpress.com

href=”https://u.osu.edu/stepabroad17/files/2017/06/IMG_4850-w1x2j8-e1498767195515.jpg”>

Education Abroad: England and Wales

For my STEP project, I completed an education abroad program called Engineering the Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales. The program began with an 8-day class on campus to learn the history of the castles and cathedrals and complete research about one of the sights each student was assigned. Then, the class flew over to England and Wales to explore the engineering aspects of the Castles and Cathedrals in person. Each student gave a presentation and a tour about their site, so each student became an expert on one specific location.

King’s Gate at Caernarfon Castle

This trip was the first time I had traveled overseas. I traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and spent two weeks in an unfamiliar country. By studying abroad in England and Wales, I gained a deep understanding of their culture and ideas. I personally gained valuable knowledge and experience from the trip along with this historical knowledge. The class consisted of 20 students and getting to know them and interact on a daily basis was transformational. The two countries we visited have religion deeply rooted in their history. They built magnificent cathedrals as a place of worship and many of them are still standing after hundreds of years. When exploring these old structures, it gave me insight into a time long ago without many of the modern advancements of building techniques. Most of the castles we explored were a part of the “iron ring” of castles built by Edward I. These engineering masterpieces showed the dominance of England over the Welsh. I was amazed that these huge castles were still standing after almost 1000 years. These days, they are mostly used for tourism, generating revenue for the local areas.

I learned about their past kings and queens, the conquest of Wales by Edward I, and many other parts of the countries. With this knowledge in hand, I could understand the history of England and Wales at a deeper level. The Welsh people have an amazing sense of nationalism and they keep up traditions of the past. Most of the citizens could speak Welsh and English fluently, which is different than the United States, where many people only speak English. I also learned about the politics and economics of both England and Wales, all the while comparing it to the United States. My experience showed me the benefits and flaws of different political systems and how they impact the everyday life of the citizens.

While exploring the castles and cathedrals, I appreciated their beauty and immense size. At every castle, our professor asked us to visualize how we would go about setting up an attack. When looking up at the curtain walls, it seemed almost impossible to scale. The gates at the front of the towers were enormous and the moats surrounding the castle made it difficult to even get near the walls. Historically, these castles were used as a stronghold to gain power and dominion over a land. These structures transformed how I view modern buildings and construction methods. The cathedrals were even larger than the castles. Some of the spires reached over 400 feet. I found it amazing that these buildings were built this tall without modern building materials and tools. We even got to climb up Salisbury Cathedral and the view was amazing. Our tour guide brought up the idea that most of the peasants at the time of the construction had never traveled very far, and the view from the top of the cathedral may have been the farthest they had ever seen. Not very many buildings in the early 14th century reached these immense heights.

Traveling by myself was not as bad as I had expected. I navigated the area with the help of the friends I made on the trip and had a great time doing it. The group of 20 people that I traveled with brought a new and exciting aspect to the trip. On the first few days on campus, everyone was very quiet. After traveling together on the plane, we all came out of our shells. Traveling, hiking and exploring with this group of people brought us closer together than I had ever expected. I formed a strong bond with all the people on the trip. We all made sure no one was left out of any plans on the trip. We all developed our communication skills with the locals and each other.  I wouldn’t have wanted to go on this trip with any other group of people.

Group Photo

There are many reasons this trip has significant value to my future. First of all, I gained more knowledge about the world around me. In an interconnected world, this is an important part of my education. I also got to meet many new fellow engineers, with whom I formed tight bonds. While traveling through Wales, we stopped at Bangor University, an acclaimed university in the UK. One of the professors discussed some of the political issues currently happening in the UK. We learned about the current political atmosphere and the importance of the election coming up. He also answered all our questions about Wales and the Welsh people. In this short class time, I learned about an entire country from a native professor. It transformed how I viewed Wales and the UK by learning about it from a first-hand perspective. The skills I developed during the trip, such as responsibility and communication, will help me in the pursuit of a future job by empowering me to understand other cultures.

View from the top of Conwy Castle

 

Engineering the Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales by K.C. Stower

For my STEP signature project I participated in the study abroad program, Engineering of Castles and Cathedrals of England and Wales. This program involved studying not only the engineering behind these structures but also the social and political roles they played in both historical and current times. However, the ultimate purpose was to broaden our perspectives of the culture of these countries and understand their impact upon global society.

This purpose is ultimately what transformed me the most. Sure, this particular program added value to my chosen major since it expanded upon my foundation of the history and principles of engineering from all around the world.  More importantly though, this program transformed me because it allowed me to travel outside of the United States to a place I haven’t been before in order to observe and experience a way of life that is new and unique to me.  

From the first moment I had started to read about these faraway places so many years ago, I had dreamed about seeing the world for this very reason.  Part of the rationale in choosing engineering in the first place was because I have a curious mind. I like to challenge myself by taking things apart and figuring out how they work. In a way, seeing the world is a lot like that as well. I wanted to be able to understand how others think, and sometimes the best way to do that is to see where they grew up as well as the place they live and work every day. I also wanted to be able to see all of the things I had only learned about thus far. It is one thing to read about it, but it is another thing to see it with your own eyes and to experience it for yourself. So with 19 other students and an eagerness to learn, that’s exactly what I did.

To begin, this study abroad program started with classes that took place on campus for a week and a half.  During this time we learned about the general history of England and Wales as well as researched the castle or cathedral we were assigned to present upon (Peveril Castle for the win!).  Surprisingly enough, this once dreaded time stuck on campus was actually a worthwhile experience.  Not only did this time allow the group to get past all of the initial awkwardness and start to bond, but it also gave us time to prepare for the impending cultural shock.  

And what a shock it was.  A trial by fire so to speak, as soon as we had cleared customs we were immediately put onto a coach and whisked away to our first site. So it was in a sleep-deprived stupor that I marveled at what I had only ever seen on the screen of a computer or in the pages of a book: the mysterious Stonehenge.  To many others these may have just been a weird pile of old rocks, but to me it was so much more.  It was a symbol of finally being able to fulfill a long-awaited dream.

However, the awe didn’t stop there.  From the scenic countryside of Wales to the captivating castle of Caernarfon, it felt like every little thing I saw took my breath away.  However, what stuck with me the most was actually the most mundane thing: experiencing what everyday life was like for a local.  Everything from the “Full English Breakfast” (eggs, “bacon” a.k.a  ham, grilled tomatoes, black pudding, toast, and sausage) to the hundreds-of-year-old ruins they would casually pass on their way to work every morning, blew my mind.  I had never thought that such a simple thing like a zipcode could completely alter not only your day-to-day routine but also your way of thinking.  I couldn’t help but wonder how much different my view of the world would have been if my local hometown landmarks were actually nationally recognized landmarks that people flock to from all over the world just to see.

So while of course I wanted to see what I’ve been dreaming about since I was a child, the main reason I chose to study abroad was so I could immerse myself in some of the diverse cultures around the world.  I believe that by traveling to unfamiliar places and learning their traditions and history, you can gain some wisdom and perspective that allows you to see the world in a new, distinct way.  This unique take on the world is necessary in both a classroom and also, a professional setting.  After all, in order to solve some of the most challenging problems, it is essential to think about them in a way that those before have not.  In the end STEP gave me the invaluable chance to gain all of this and more, which will not only enrich my experience at OSU but the rest of my life as well.

GVI Thailand – Phang Nga Healthcare

On my service trip, I provided healthcare education and wellness exercises to the children of Ban Nam Khem, a small village in the Phang Nga province of southern Thailand.  We worked with many different children of varying abilities and taught health and hygiene classes along with performing developmental and educational exercises. Thailand’s healthcare system does not provide the support and aid that ours does, therefore, any amount of education we could provide the children of the village went a long way.

 

I have only been out of the country a few other times but I never would have dreamed I would get to experience the culture of a country half way around the world.  Thailand is the only country I have traveled to where English is not the primary language. Trying to teach classes without speaking the language was difficult at times but made me realize how much we rely on body language and non-verbal communication to get across what we are trying to say. It also helped that many of the students were learning very basic English.  Many of the adults in the village also spoke some English and really tried to help us communicate.  Being in a country where it is not uncommon to speak several languages made me feel sort of uncultured and less globally minded.  I felt bad that I could not accommodate to the native language, while they put their full effort in accommodating to me.  However, by the end of my trip, I learned more Thai and and felt confident speaking with the people of the village.  Although the language barrier was not always easy, I really learned from this trip that no matter what language we speak, we are really not so different from one another.

 

One of the most surprising pieces of information I learned over in Thailand is that the government gives out money hand over first, but does not really provide any aid or programs for people of varying needs and abilities. A center that we worked at called the Camilian Center, a developmental center for students with special needs, was a privately run organization that was a prime example of this.  In the United States, services for children with special needs are started at the time of their diagnosis, usually before 2-3.  In Thailand, most children many not go to the doctor or a hospital (both of which are very sparse) and receive a diagnosis until at least 10 years old. When they are deemed a “special needs child”, the government gives the family a small amount of funding but does not provide any further services.

 

Because I have worked at a camp for students with special needs for the past few summers, working at the Camilian Center and learning this information impacted me the most.  The kids at the center were really eager for us to work with them and put in their best efforts despite their disabilities.  Mainly, we worked on sensory activities like games and crafts and developmental exercises such as physical therapy and sports. Additionally, we spent some time doing vocational training, like planting vegetables and taking care of their farm animals.  Although I loved going to the center, it made me sad to think about how much more they could have developed, both physically and cognitively, if they had been deemed a child with special needs and received the right services sooner.

 

Another one of my favorite experiences was teaching young teenagers about health and hygiene.  It was awesome to see how excited and enthusiastic they were to learn and how much they were able to retain in such a short amount of time.  Some of the most basic terms to college students, such as body parts, were challenging for the students.  I loved seeing their faces when they realized that the body parts we were teaching them made up their own body.  By the next week, they had mastered the body parts and we were able to dive into more difficult anatomy.

 

This trip consisted of working with children and health and wellness, both of which I am very passionate about.  Just like this service trip, as a nurse, I hope to work with children to improve their overall health and day to day wellness.  Because I want to be a globally minded nurse, learning about health care systems in foreign countries was a great way to achieve this objective. This trip taught me patience, respect for other’s cultures and religions, and how to communicate with just about anyone (even if they do not speak your language).  I think that serving in Thailand has made me confident that, as a nurse, I could effectively communicate and work with any patient that I was assigned.  Providing health and wellness experiences and activities to young children has served to confirm my desire to practice as a pediatric nurse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteering at the Camilian Center

Teaching English and Healthcare

Touring southern Thailand

 

Sustainable and Resilient Tanzanian Community

Jake Humphrey

Study Abroad: Sustainable and Resilient Tanzanian Community (SRTC)

  1. I participated in the SRTC program through the School of Environment and Natural Resources at the Ohio State University this past May. The focus of the study abroad program was to emerge students in an interdisciplinary development project in rural Tanzania. The project consists of installing a pipeline, distribution facility, a treatment facility, and a solar pump (from a nearby river) in order to provide safe drinking water for a village that currently has inadequate access to clean water.
  2. I’m not exactly sure that I can sum up the transformation that I went through in Tanzania in just a paragraph because it is so profound. The biggest transformation that I underwent through participating in the SRTC program was an appreciation for life. I can’t exactly explain what it’s like to see the kindest, most loving people I have ever met undergo so many struggles on a day to day basis.

    My major at OSU is Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability with a specialization in International Development. Not only has this trip given me the confidence to continue academically and professionally in the international development field, but also it has changed the way I value and appreciate life. I have a greater appreciation of time, and I have learned to value the simplicity of life.

  3. Among all of the events and relationships that led to my transformation, I will focus primarily on three events that occurred while in country. Each of these events heavily impacted my newly found appreciation of my field of study and life in general.

    The first event that changed my view of the world was on the second day that we were working in the village (named Marwa). I was a member of the women’s education and enterprise team on the project. On this day, we were visiting the primary school in Marwa village to collect some data from the students. Our main objectives were to show our presence to the children, collect data on number of students attending school, and collect data on the children’s activities outside of school. This is the day that the “culture shock” hit me; for the first time in my life, I realized how sheltered I was. I saw children playing with a ball that was made out of trashing bags wrapped with fishing wire. In addition, we saw a few children (around the ages of 5 and 6) running around with razor blades because that was the only thing that they could sharpen their pencils with. I could not believe what I was seeing. Witnessing the resources that these children had was absolutely devastating, and I could think about was how I can help them. Yes, obviously I was there working on a development project for their village, but what about the millions of other people out there living in similar conditions. On that day, I knew that the international development and policy field is where I belong.

    The second event that led to my transformation in Tanzania occurred the same day as the last. After we had visited the school and gather our data, we left to head towards the river where women walk each day to get water. We were travelling to the river so that we could see the agricultural fields on the banks to analyze agricultural enterprise opportunities in the area. While driving to the river, we had to drive through the “temporary river”, which is essentially a flood plain that fills with water during the rainy season. While driving through the temporary river, we saw three girls walking home from school. By this time we had been driving for 15 or 20 minutes, so these girls had to have been walking for at least 45 minutes to an hour. When we passed them, they did not hesitate to scream hello and wave as hard as ever. That day, I observed the dedication of a few children to receive an education. These girls walked an hour to school and back every day. I was astounded by their commitment and dedication, which led to me to appreciate the education that I am fortunate enough to be receiving here at the Ohio State University.

    The last event that contributed to my transformation in Tanzania occurred in a meeting in a small sub-village of Marwa called Pateli. In Pateli, we met with two women’s groups who were excited to tell us about the initiatives in their small sub-village. The objective of meeting with the women’s groups was to gather information and analyze the enterprise opportunities in their village. With one of the groups, we asked the women if they needed anything specific from us. One woman in the group said that they would like us to help them make money so that they could buy one of their members a new prosthetic leg. The woman with the prosthetic leg stepped forward to tell us her story. She explained that she has to buy a new replacement leg every year from the town that is 11 miles away. She said that her leg gets worn out every year because she walks for 7 hours every day to get water for her family. In that moment, my entire view of life changed. I could not believe the challenges that this woman had to endure every day of her life, but still there she was doing her best. After meeting with that woman, I learned to appreciate everything that I have given in life.

    In addition to these three events, there was a plethora of other events and relationships that have shaped my transformation while participating in this study abroad program.

  4. By participating on this study abroad, I will be able to be exponentially more valuable moving into the professional workforce. As I plan to continue working in the international development field, I am grateful that I was able to work on the ground on an actual development project. Through experiencing the culture and challenges of international communities, I can more effectively address the international development field and policies that surround it.

 

View of Arusha, Tanzania

A fellow group member and I eating fresh cut sugar cane in the Marwa sub-village

View of  Ngorogoro Crater from the rim

Some of the children from the Marwa primary school

A few of us from the group adorned in gifts (clothing and jewelry) from villagers as we prepared to take part in a ceremony held once every 15 – 20 years

Australia and New Zealand Education Abroad

My STEP project was an education abroad trip to Australia and New Zealand. On this trip, we all took part in numerous outdoor adventure activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, biking, snorkeling, and more. We also focused on developing our leadership knowledge and styles.

I have never been anywhere comparable to these Australia and New Zealand before. Many would think that they would be relatively similar to America because we share the same language and are all developed countries. However, I have never been so inspired by other cultures before. My goal on this trip was to completely submerse myself in their ways of life and to learn from the people that live there. My appreciation for this world has grown exponentially. I always enjoyed being outdoors, but now I am much more committed to escaping to nature. I observed many people in New Zealand who were parked on the side of the road with a cup of coffee, just watching the sunrise. Rarely would one see that in America. People in New Zealand seem to live their lives more slowly. They take the time to unwind and appreciate what is around them. I feel transformed in that I see the importance in stepping away from the hustle and bustle. One moment that really had an impact on me occurred while we were looking up at the stunning night sky, amongst the giant white mountains. My friend Alli was sitting next to me and said, “this trip has made me feel so small in the best way.” That statement made me realize that all of the things we worry about are so insignificant compared to this great big world around us.

Our group of twenty-four came into this trip as strangers, and we came out as family. After spending 21 days together in extremely close quarters, we saw everyone at their worst and at their best. We watched each other grow. We experienced unbelievable moments together that words cannot do justice. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much as I did during those three weeks. Our group leader, Spenser, was one person who really left an impact on me. We had very little opportunities to connect to WiFi during the trip. One would imagine that all of us college students were a little apprehensive having little to no connection to the outside world, which we usually have at our fingertips. Spenser urged everyone not to connect to the WiFi at all, even when we had it available to us. Most of us thought he was crazy. However, I saw the incredible effect the lack of technology had on our experience. I firmly believe that our group was able to bond so very quickly because we were not preoccupied with our phones our computers. Instead of sitting on our phones at night, we played all sorts of card games. During dinner time, nobody was distracted with social media or texting. We all had genuine, uninterrupted conversations. I am very appreciative of this aspect of our trip.

Our itinerary was jam packed with adventure activities, many of which were not designed for the faint-hearted. We took numerous hikes in challenging terrains, went mountain biking, and many of us opted to partake in other perilous activities on our free days. In Cairns, I chose to go whitewater rafting in the Tully River. The Tully is deemed the best place in the world to go rafting because it is made up of about 47 rapids, most of which are categorized as class 4 (meaning that they are quite brutal.) I was honestly a bit nervous going into the day, but I have heard from several people that whitewater rafting is an absolute blast. I would consider myself to be a brave person, but I have skipped out on doing certain things in my life for fear of getting hurt or injured. However, I promised myself going into this trip that I would not let fear inhibit my experience. I was not going to skip out on the greatest rafting opportunity because I was too afraid. I am so thankful I pushed myself to go because it ended up being my favorite day on the whole trip. It was absolutely exhilarating. It made me realize that there will always be a risk factor in adventure activities, but the outcome is so much greater than any fear I might have.

Our tour guides played such a large part in our three weeks abroad. Of course, we would have been totally clueless without them as far as planning our itinerary. But even more so, they provided us with new outlooks on life. Anthony was our guide in Australia. He had this quiet, gentle presence about him and never once did he let his emotions get the best of him. He frequently talked about his wife and it was very clear that he adored her. They own their own travel company, and spend their time flying around the world guiding groups together. There was one quote Anthony said that turned out to be the motto of our trip: by no means are we wealthy, but we live rich lives. Our whole group was inspired by this statement of his. He was by no means a wealthy man, but it was so evident that he lived a very full and happy life. He may not have had many luxurious possessions, but he had lived through so many amazing experiences that most people do not choose to partake in. I am now more inspired to buy experiences, as opposed to material things. Our tour guides in New Zealand were Tim and Marios. They were both very jovial and playful. While everyone loved their fun-loving company, we also saw the great wisdom they held. Marios told us about his home, which was essentially just a sturdy teepee. It was amazing to hear about such a humble lifestyle, and one that he was so very content with. Marios and I also had a great conversation one evening about social media. We discussed how instead of just enjoying an experience, today’s society has become so focused on making sure that everyone else sees that they are having a seemingly great time. This really inspired me to live in the moment and refrain from technology and social media.

These three weeks were the best three weeks of my life. I have had the privilege to experience more amazing things in that period of time than many people have in their entire lifetime. The culture of New Zealand had a particularly strong impact on me. The people there were so incredibly conscious of the environment. They were willing to forgo paper towels and use the hand dryer for the sake of creating less waste. The homes there were very modest. Never did you see a sprawling house with tons of excess space. Their dedication to our world inspired me. I now see how important it is to take care of our planet that provides us with so much. Not only that, but the simplicity of their lives was also amazing to see. It is truly possible to have a full and happy life without extravagant and superficial possessions.