Amanda

Amanda

Class: '10

Major: International Relations

Hometown: Barnegat, NJ

Writing From: San Jose, Costa Rica

Minors:

Spanish, Environmental Studies

Study Abroad Program:

International Studies Abroad (ISA)

International Experience:

LC Study Abroad, India (Winter Break 2006), St. Lucia International Service Learning (Summer 2008); personal travel to Aruba

LC Activities:

Students Taking Action Now for Darfur, Amnesty International, Invisible Children Street Team, Model United Nations Participant, LC Senate, Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, SERVE Student Assistant

Other Posts:

Nicaragua (12/03/2008)
Thanksgiving (12/02/2008)
East Coast Girl (12/03/2008)
Cultural navigations (11/19/2008)
The US as seen from abroad--elections and politics (10/21/2008)
A new friend from Japan--Konnichiwa! (10/21/2008)
Classes at Veritas (10/21/2008)
A weekend on the coast (10/21/2008)
Day 10 (10/07/2008)
Almost there! (09/27/2008)

Accomplishments

Academically I have accomplished so much in the past three months. So much, that I can't imagine what it was like not knowing all the things I know now. To start, my Environmental Impact and Social Development class has given me a broader understanding of our current environmental state and Costa Rica. I had only taken two other environmental studies courses prior to this one and I learned a lot. However, this class was so much different in the sense that I took away a stronger general message than technical information. I couldn't tell you any specific information I learned, but I have an understanding of a whole environmental history of this country, up until how they got to where they are today. The most influential part of their history has also been a very general message, and that is basically that foreign investors and outside influences have had the harshest affects on the country. This is something one could find in the social development and environmental impact of countries all over Latin America. The impacts and lack of development are not a result of their failed systems, as much as it is a result of outside influences crippling their ability toward progress.

As far as my Human Rights in Latin America course, I have never been so grateful. I've always considered myself a firm believer in human rights, but I never actually researched any topic extensively. Most notably, I never questioned the reality of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I had this "Of course everyone should have these rights" mentality, without considering the fact that the means by which people attain these rights are completely dependent on the state. Thus, the Declaration is designed in a way that depends on a stable infrastructure, when in reality there are very few countries that have this. Even the countries that do hold this stability often violate human rights in the name of corporate rights. Furthermore, there is one aspect of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that many don't realize, and that's the fact that it has no face. It is a one size fits all list of protections, that doesn't take cultural practices and beliefs into consideration. For instance, indigenous groups that have different cultural practices than the "modern" world, like underage marriage or individuality. In their cultures, these concepts do not exist, and thus the articles of the Declaration of Human Rights actually impose cultural insensitivity. The world is not homogeneous and thus a universal declaration is not always protective or productive. But anyway, these are just some examples of the different perspectives I've taken from that course. As my professor said, it's always better to end with more questions than you started with. And in fact, I do, but somehow I feel more rooted in my beliefs than ever.

Then of course, there is the language aspect of this academic experience. After being here for three months I tend to forget that the "barrier" even exists. It is just a part of my life now. For the first time I have really been able to learn the language and FEEL that I am learning it. Living here, and especially with a host family, is of course a totally different experience than a classroom. First of all, the learning isn't just forty minutes a day, three times a week, and it's not just learning in the class. It's every day, in and out, which means I constantly have to listen. And the funny part is, I'm not listening because I have to, but because I want to. I read the newspaper, listen to the radio, listen to the TV, listen to the other conversations at lunch, all for the simple sake of practice. It's a constant effort but it's a good one, and people love to see you trying. Going home is going to be such a transition where I'll have to search for this practice. I truly hope I am able to keep it a part of my life.

Lastly, one academic accomplishment I would have never expected is the amount of economics I have learned in the past three months. Last year I took my first econ class ever, and I had never felt so lost in my life. Then I had to follow up with another one in the spring, and I thought for sure I was going to fail. I ended up pulling through, but in a bitter sentiment I declared my utter hatred for econ in general. Any time someone brought it up I would sneer, but turns out I just didn't like it because I didn't understand it. Same goes for many things in life I suppose. But anyway, once I got down here I couldn't reject it anymore. Economics controls absolutely everything, especially in Latin America. The only way to understand where most countries are at where they are today, is to understand the economic history of the country. And so, little by little, I began to test the economic waters and here I find myself in December, swimming in the pool. Between TLC or "CAFTA" in the US, and our own economic crisis at home, there is no denying the realities of supply and demand, profit, and greed, especially when profit is so often coming before the value of people. The only way to end poverty, end the war on drugs, human rights abuses, etc., is to change the economic conditions the state and the people are facing. It is the lack of hope that breeds our biggest challenges as a human race and a planet. 

Personal reflection

In the past three months I have learned so much about myself that it's hard to remember what I was like before. At this point it's not something I could pinpoint, but I can just feel it. I feel more energized, enlightened almost. I feel like the world is so much bigger and so much smaller at the same time. Most of all, I feel the need to keep on changing, to keep learning more, and to keep working towards being a better person. I've done plenty of things here that I thought I would never do, like the "Tarzan jump" after zip-lining when I have a fear of flying. Or go hitchhiking because we had no money and no means of getting to a bus during a tropical storm. Or throw money at a taxi driver who tried to scam us and run away. Or traveled completely on the seat of my pants, with no idea where I would be sleeping that night. And the list goes on. Still not sure I would do some of these things again, never mind in the US but the fact is I can say I did it, because I was here and I was living.

Being here, I have met people from all over the US. A lot of people from California and Colorado, and others from Nebraska, Washington State, South Carolina, etc. My closest group of friends are from California, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Florida. It's crazy that we all started out as strangers, but by now, we have such a close and unique bond together. We all shared in one of the best experiences of our lives, in a whole new culture where the closest thing we had to home is each other. In terms of comparing them to students at LC, I'd say they are all pretty much the same. Or maybe I just always find the same group of people, I'm not sure. My close group of friends are all activists, volunteer oriented people that are really relaxed and know how to have a good time. It is so much fun to swap stories with all of them about campus activities and getting things "approved". Of course, there are plenty of differences in terms of past times though. For instance, my friend Fran, she's really involved with this biking activist group in San Diego; my friend Missy brews her own beer and makes her own wine; my friend Rachel is an RA at her school; Holly is one of seven kids. Everyone has their own story, but most of all it really makes you realize how united our generation is. We all have so much passion and enthusiasm, and we're all learning so much about the world we live in. We have the potential to do so much in this world.

Advice for students back home

I actually feel the need to beg students to study abroad, not just recommend it. It is the most rewarding and enriching experience you could possibly make for yourself. I know there are plenty of heavy factors, like money and the fact that it's a long amout of time. But believe me when I tell you, there is a way and it is completely worth every penny. Think about before you left for LC and the amount of apprehension you had about starting a new chapter in your life, away from your family and friends, and everything you knew. Was that worth it? That's exactly how going away for a semester is, but even better because you get to be a part of something that you could never experience in the US. It's the chance to see everything from the outside looking in, not only from a country point of view but from a personal point of view. You will be forced to learn so much more about yourself, in scenarios you could never imagine, and you'll be stronger for it. I'll be honest, I was scared before I left, excited of course but sitting in that airport by myself, I was SCARED. Everything started racing through my head... not being able to speak Spanish well, not knowing anyone, not knowing what my host family was going to be like. I literally found myself asking "What did I get myself into and how do I get out?" Turns out I got myself into the best decision of my life, and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.