My STEP Signature Project was a Buck-I-Serv trip to Ghana to support a local orphanage’s daily tasks. We helped teach the kids various school subjects, cleaned the buildings, and supported the chefs while making meals. In addition, we also helped raise money to repair the dining hall.
Completing the project vastly changed my perception of the world and myself. Being in a place without the amenities in America made me cognizant of the things I took for granted. Furthermore, I also see how different cultures perceive each other more clearly. Finally, this trip threw me into the deep end when it comes to socialization, a skill I was sorely lacking beforehand.
When we arrived at the site, I became acutely aware of what kind of amenities they did not have. There was no AC, the water was received from the local river, and the roads were barely paved. Most Americans would see these conditions as inhospitable, but for all the people living in the area, these conditions were a fact of life. Living near the orphanage made me quickly get used to these conditions as well, and I learned just how many things in our lives in America we have taken for granted.
The trip to Ghana was Buck-I-Serv’s first trip to the country in years, and many of the kids at the orphanage have not seen non-Africans before. While all the kids were fascinated by our group, I noticed that all of them took particular notice of me, since I am visibly East Asian. Talking to them about my race made it clear that both of us were unfamiliar with each other’s culture. They would refer to me as “China,” and were surprised when I explained to them that I consider myself an American. It never really occurred to me before that while we may not be familiar with other’s culture’s customs, the reverse could also be true.
Finally, I never had to collaborate and communicate as much as I did before the project. We would constantly delegate tasks, support one another, and take up others’ roles. We became close, and I now know I can rely on them back in the States. Additionally, I would talk with the kids, listen to their stories, and play their games, all things that I never had to work on before. Talking with them gave me a critical insight into their culture, vastly broadening my worldview.
These experiences throughout my service trip are undoubtedly valuable for my ability to grow in the future. My experience with the Ghanaian culture brought new perspectives, and I will be able to be more aware of how others live, and how to respond as such appropriately. Furthermore, I continued to develop my social skills and made new relationships with my fellow cohorts, expanding my network. In the end, my Buck-I-Serv Trip through STEP has brought me new perspectives and resources that I could not have gotten without this opportunity.