1. This project was a journey through France and Morocco through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In 3.5 weeks we discovered the impact of colonialism in each country, while discovering different cultural, racial, national, and religious identities. We spent about a week in Paris, another in Aix en Provence, and a final week in Morocco.
2. Through this program I was able to learn a lot about myself and the countries I visited. In France, my views on French politics were challenged and I was able to compare and contrast the French government to the US government. In Morocco, I was able to learn about the Moroccan government, one which I did not know much about, and compare it not only to the US, but also to the French government. It was through these comparisons that I learned how important it is to have a worldwide perspective, rather than countrywide. It also made me transform my way of thinking into recognizing my own privileges that I take for granted.
3. One event that led to this transformation was our lecture on Laicite (French Secularism). This lecture delved into the ban on cultural garments in public spaces and made me realize the freedoms that many Americans take for granted. The next event that led to a transformation was a lecture on Islam. As an individual who is passionate about the Christian faith, I thoroughly appreciated the chance to gain a perspective on the Islamic religion. This visit helped clear up some of the misconceptions about Islam that I had previously heard. It also helped me compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Islam and Christianity.
However the topic that surprised me the most was the Islamophobia in France. This brings me to my next event that led to a transformation. When we visited a mosque in Marseille, it was disheartening to see so many individuals in need of a larger space to pray, and having to rely on third party donors to provide prayer spaces. When we arrived at the mosque, it was not very apparent that it was a mosque. In addition, hearing that prayer spaces were required to be disguised was very disheartening. It made me realize yet another privilege we as Americans take for granted.
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Overall, I feel as though the transformation I endured from this trip will allow me to recognize when I am viewing issues from a one-sided perspective, and be able to adjust my view to a more comprehensive point of view. In regards to my future, I plan to be an educator, not just at the teaching level, but also at the administrative, and policymaker level. This trip has helped me gain confidence in approaching my career from a holistic perspective and allowed me to understand what it is like to take classes in a different education system. One of my primary career goals is to rectify the one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and create inclusive, safe, culturally sustaining classrooms nationwide, this trip provided me with some of the tools I will need to make that happen.