I Have Never Experienced So Much of Life
Posted on August 8th, 2009.- by Jill Roberts
It is finally time for me to wrap up my time in Vietnam this summer and I am finding it to be a surprisingly difficult task. I assumed the people and things I missed would overwhelm me enough to cause the basic feeling of the desire to return home, but I have found my feelings to be more convoluted than expected. Sorting through all that I have experienced and learned has left me feeling mentally and emotionally drained, but I am viewing this in a positive light as I have never experienced so much of life in a two month period. It is my desire to be able to come to solid conclusions about all I have taken in throughout my summer so I may be accountable to return home changed and responsible for what I have learned.
I arrived at the Hanoi airport back in June feeling much more alone at that point and having no idea what lay ahead. I scanned the crowd for my name on a piece of paper. When I saw “Jill Robert” I figured it was close enough. I met Thuy for the first time, a GVI staff member that is now my dear friend. My friendship with her alone has been such an amazing asset to my experience. She took me under her wing, and invited me to hang out with her friends every night. It was an authentic way for me to better understand Vietnamese customs among young people, and view the culture in a different perspective than I have experienced before. After getting settled, I got into the groove of visiting the orphanage SS3 daily, and became changed through the relationships that were built there. Being able to care for the babies, laugh and play with the young children, have meaningful conversations with the older kids, and interact with the housemothers were all experiences that I know will stay with me forever. Understanding the dynamic lifestyles of everyone at SS3 improved my ability to view the world and the diversity of the people in it. I have thought deeply about how my role in society relating to the oppressed people will pan out as I answer my callings and passions both now and in the future. My heart beats for these children, and the desire to help them to succeed burdens me with each memory of the time spent with them.
I have observed the second half of my trip to be significantly different than the first. It began by going north to the mountains and being involved in health and hygiene education. I appreciate being able to see the more primitive lifestyles of the village populations. My trips to the villages always leave me wanting to live more simply, a lesson that must be learned over and over by any American. This excursion also taught me about the functions of different cultures as they merge in society, and the ways that we can most effectively interact with one another.
Last Wednesday the special education team finally arrived, which caused the ending of my summer to sink in because I will be returning home with this team. They orchestrated a conference for teachers and parents of special needs children, addressing innovative ways of educating and interacting with them. Considering the receptivity of these teachers and mothers was affirming as it is a reminder that all domains of society can be reached while serving people in a holistic manner. Each week has helped me to grow and understand something more about the world that I live in, and enabled me to develop a better grasp of my role in society as a young person. One of the most significant things that I have experienced has been the opportunity to interact and spend time with people from all classes of Vietnamese population. It is such a diverse country, and I have learned so much from each group of people who represent momentous differences and needs.
Since I was young, my parents have instilled in me the desire to see and understand the world. As soon as I experienced Vietnam for the first time at age 11, I adopted this desire as my own and my heart for the world has grown ever since. Because I have been to Vietnam a total of 8 times now, many of the trips blur together in my head, but I know this summer will always stand apart from the others as I have grown and learned more than any other summer. I have no limitations for where I may end up in my future, but it is exciting to me to think that I would literally live anywhere, including the good old U.S of A!! (and that sounds kind of appealing at this point!) What I do know, is that I want to make a difference in the world, and I think my involvement in Vietnam has played an imperative role in my aspirations and development as a person. I am thankful for all that Vietnam has taught me, and though I’m not sure when I will return, I know without a doubt that I will be back one day!
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
