Here We Go!

Wow! I can't believe it's January already! Before you know it, I will be impatiently awaiting my departure at Pearson International, setting out for an emotionally adventurous three-month international volunteer placement. Where, you ask? Well, my close friend Denise and I, both participants in the Beyond Borders program at the University of Waterloo, are heading to Ternopil, Ukraine to work at the Internat Orphanage. Internat is an orphanage that houses roughly sixty girls and women aged 5 to 30, all with mental disabilities. I am extremely excited not only because I am being given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of some of the country's most socially outcast, but also to witness the difference this experience makes within myself. I am preparing myself for this to be life-altering, and I am so excited for you to join me on this road to change and self-actualization!

Before I continue, I guess a little bit of background on what it is that I'm doing would be helpful. Like I said, I'm in a program called Beyond Borders (BB). This year's group is made up of eleven students from various faculties and backgrounds, all with the same goal: to make a difference. While Denise and I will be heading to Eastern Europe, our peers are preparing for placements in Uganda, Nairobi, India, Argentina, and Peru! BB is a service-learning program that offers students an opportunity to put their learning into practice on an international level, with the purpose of greater global citizenship. Well, that's the text book answer. What it actually is is so much more! Beyond Borders is a program that challenges our Western views of the world and encourages us to stand up for those less privileged than ourselves, both within our communities and around the world. Through such authors as Paulo Freire, Jean Vanier, and Ursula K. Le Guin, we get a sense of the oppression and marginalization that many people face all over the world. Through our class discussions, we are able to unpack the messages written within these works and use those messages as reminders of our purpose in this program and in our future placements.

Another aspect of the program that we're just beginning to touch on this term is the exploration of ourselves. This may not seem like an important part of our experiences to come, but knowing who we are and how we are likely to respond given certain situations is crucial for the emotional and physical safety of ourselves and those we will be working with in our placements. We (the BB group) will be heading into environments with customs, values, and beliefs very different from our own, and we need to know how to handle (and perhaps control) ourselves. I wouldn't want to end up behind bars, or worse! Of course, the true test will not come until we are immersed in our host countries, but preparation is certainly key!

Knowing what was to come with the beginning of a new term, I was so excited to get back (not very well-rested from the holidays) to the BB atmosphere. I usually look forward to the beginning of a new term, but I was extra excited to reunite with my BB pals (aww!). While we had a slow start getting to know each other, I think this group has done a fantastic job of fostering some true connections. That's what I love so much (so far) about this program: it brings people together from all different backgrounds and interests, people who may have otherwise never met, into an environment filled with support and compassion. It's wonderful!

In keeping with the theme of emotional and physical preparedness, our first class began with a personality test, and ended with an afternoon of self defense. The personality test was intriguing because it not only gave us insight into our own personalities, but it also helped us to understand other personality types. It's no secret that not all people get along, but what we learned in this session is that it's precisely those differences that are essential in team work. There is not one single person who is the best at everything. It truly takes all kinds. It was comforting to come to this realization because I felt that it gave me permission to be who I am, strengths and weaknesses alike!

Speaking of strengths and weaknesses, our self-defense training definitely tested our physical capabilities. It was actually a lot of fun, though! The instructor reminded me a lot of my dad when he was showing us all of the everyday items we could use as weapons, need be. With three (beautiful) daughters, my dad is always ready with some sort of self defense tip before we leave for a night out with friends. If I remember correctly, it only takes four pounds of pressure to push someone's eyes out. Thanks, Dad! Annnyway, our instructor was very helpful with the techniques he showed us. I hope I will be able to remember them all if I ever need them!

Phew! I definitely had a lot to reflect on, and that only touched the surface! I'm really looking forward to this process, and blogging all about it. This is certainly going to be the ride of a life time with many ups and downs, twists and turns, and I can't wait for it all to unfold! :D