With every adventure though, it is important to reflect on the journey that has brought us to where we are today. In harmony with Tim's video, I will explore the challenges, triumphs and teachings from the two terms that has brought me to where I am today. Here's to Beyond Borders!
On the first day to class, I was definitely apprehensive. What did Beyond Borders mean? Everyone accepted into the program is a leader in some way. Many have formal leadership roles and all have a reason as to why they were in the program. To be honest, I thought everyone was amazing and had a lot more experience than me--I was intimidated. Yet throughout the past two terms, I have grown to love my new found group of friends. The connections which started off as awkward hellos on the street soon became a linkage of meaningful texts, messages and group bonding sessions. Whether we were working on a fundraising idea, making cards or just hanging out, we were committed to making the experience a good one. Truly, I do believe that what you put in is what you get out of an experience and in this group, everyone put in 110%. I honestly feel that, although cliché, individuals in our Beyond Borders cohort will do anything in their power to ensure everyone is successful.
This group has truly taught me the power of selflessness, what it means to work in a group environment and has reminded me of the importance to relate to one another. I have always been a pretty independent worker. Although I did not mind working in groups, my preference was always to be in control and to do things myself. Working with my cohort, however, I have learned both to trust and to accept spontaneity: life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will, and that's okay.
Throughout the term, I have also learned a lot about development. As Brilé noted, the Beyond Borders program is counterintuitive. It truly challenges the traditional methods of pedagogy and the ways in which we view the world. What is the role of experiential learning? How is eco-tourism different from what we are trying to do? I definitely thought I had the answers to many of life's problems. Corruption is bad; we are going to help the poor. Yet the lessons and discussions amongst my peers and in class have showed me that corruption isn't always black and development work isn't always white.
Beyond Borders takes our knowledge of development a step further and asks whether or not organisations actually want the volunteer's help or do they just want the economic resources the volunteer brings. The program has challenged me immensely throughout the last two terms; I begin to look at the world, not necessarily cynically, but with an analytical frame of mind. I have come to understand the reasons behind the action.
Whether Rigoberta Menchu meant to paint a particular picture of her life in her testimony or not, her mission remained the same. There is much controversy behind the truthfulness of her work, I, Rigoberta Menchu, yet perhaps her living conditions are less important than the message she is trying to portray. The fact is, she was an advocate for the lives for all indigenous Guatemalans and she sought to expose the injustices inherent in the system. Beyond Borders taught me to look behind the apparent.
I hope that, as a result of my experiences, I will be able to understand the complexities of life within the Dominican Republic and its neighbour, Haiti. I have found a passion in understanding the implications of being stateless as a child of a migrant worker. I have begun to care so much more about the Dominican Republic than I had ever thought I would. The xenophobia and racism within the Dominican Republic stems from the colonial roots of the two nations. The deep-rooted conflict is not necessarily one that can be solved but will ultimately stay with the groups. The truth is, Beyond Borders has taught me to become passionately involved. Instead of "helping out," I have learned to work with others and understand what matters most to them. My classmates have shown me how to put 110% in everything I do.
So I currently live with anticipation. I am excited and nervous about the 3 months ahead of me. My comforts will be taken away and my classmates will not always be there to support me in my efforts. However, they have prepared me to trust in myself, trust in others and to live passionately. Our learning doesn't stop here, Sebastien did a good job and reminded us that the world is our classroom.
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