Ringing Down The Curtain

I have always been a fan of exploring the world because I want to learn more about other cultures. People behave mostly according to what they perceive to be right and wrong, as a result of their cultural and societal norms, so I thought to better understand people and the way they behave, I must seek to experience their cultures, either in actuality or vicariously. That is mainly why I embarked on this month-long dialogue of civilizations. Some of my perceptions, for instance, the cause of the stagnation and depression of the Spanish economy was blamed on the “work ethic” of the Spaniards. I believed it to be true that the Spaniards did not work hard enough compared to their EU counterparts who were not severely affected by the economic depression. However, my time in Spain has given me a new perspective on the issue, rather than what I read/saw on the news. From the little that I observed, the Spaniards place a lot of value on human relations so there is a lot of human element in everything they do, from working to dinning. That is why families eat together, spend time on the beach together and promenade on La Rambla together. Because of this social etiquette, the working hours are designed to fit this life style so most jobs are done within “conventional working hours” and rarely do people work outside of these hours. The exceptions are bus drivers and service personnel. This is important because I also observed that people were general very satisfied and happy with their lives, regardless of their economic class/situation.

My personal goal has always been to be a successful, global engineer whose work would help change the world for the better. That goal is linked directly to my academic goal of being the best I can be by doing the best I can do. My definition of that “world-changing work” I aspire to do became well defined for me after this trip. Whereas in the past, my understanding of what work would change the world was fixated on doing what has never been done, I learned on this trip that, it does not necessarily have to be novel work to be world changing but rather, even something as little as ensuring that the less fortunate in society enjoy the pleasures of living would be world changing. This is not to say my goals have shifted from wanting to do something novel to something noble. I now aspire to do something both novel and noble.

During this trip, I have been photographed more than I can remember and I liked it but what surprised me was how I enjoyed taking beautiful photos of others. I do not own any camera now aside what comes with my phone. However, I was given the opportunity to take some pictures with DSLR camera. The experience has led me to conclude there is a photographer in me waiting to be unveiled. All the photos I took of my peers came out great and I am considering getting myself a DSLR camera to be a hobbyist photographer.

One of my fears is the fear of drowning. I almost drowned in a pool a few years ago so I have been very wary of getting too close to water bodies. I tried to hide this fear and not get too close to the beach for fear of experiencing the dreadful growing sensation again but I ended up having to share this with my now best friends on the dialogue. They were very supportive and helpful in ensuring that they would help me at the slightest display of discomfort. Slowly, I was able to trust them and I have been able to overcome the fear that I might drown again. I went from not wanting to get anywhere near water bodies to waking up at the crack of dawn to walk 2.5 miles to watch the sunrise and swim a little in the cold morning ocean. I cannot imagine how bland and vapid this experience would have been without the guys and girls I went on this trip with.

As a transfer student, I even considered not doing any co-op just so I could be done as early as possible. My initial experience at Northeastern was not the greatest. I was secluded and had no contact with others outside of the classroom so the first few months were rough, to say the least. This trip offered me the opportunity to get closer and socialize with others in my class. Through this dialogue, I have found some very smart and intelligent guys and girls I now call my friends, aside from the cultural edification that comes with traveling.

My favorite experience has nothing to do with academics. I know, right? The utmost attention was given to all the academics but outside of that, we had some fun too. And the fun part is what I would remember about this trip the most five years from now. I will remember more vividly the trips to the beach, the night life, the card games were played, and the beach soccer. This is because it helped me foster social bonds with the others on this dialogue. And from what I have learned from the trip about the way of life of the Spaniards, human interactions matter greatly.

My advice to future participants is to let their fears/bias inhibit their experience. We all have opinions about different cultures, good or bad. When you let these opinions guide your experience, the experience would be nothing but exactly what you want it to be or fear it to be. However, if you let go of the preconceived notions, you make room for creating genuine experiences that will truly inform you of the culture/society you may find yourself in.

I would certainly do another or two study abroad if I can find them for my remaining classes. This is a rare opportunity for one to spend considerable time in a different country and experience different cultures. I do not see any other way, aside work, that one may be able to go live in a different country for a month and change, all the while going on cultural and world-class chemical manufacturing/processing plants tours. As to where I would want to go again, I am not entirely sure but I would want to go back to Europe, probably Germany, France or the Netherlands. As closely as these countries are to each other, my vicarious experience tells me they are very different from each other and I would like to experience them for myself..

Thank for your time and I hope that you found something of value that would help you create your own experience through my experience. Best of luck in all your endeavors!