After every emergency I have worked or practiced for we always get together and talk about the things that went well and the areas we need to improve. Communication is something that is almost always in the area to improve. Even when the same national language is used there are many ways to miscommunicate, so you would think that when you travel to a distant land knowing very little of the language that there would be communication failures constantly. This has not been my experience in Chile. I have thought about this quite a bit and what I have noticed is that a big reason this is not the case is because the people I have been surrounded by have gone out of their way to make sure their message is received and that they completely understand what I am trying to say. I find myself listening harder than I have ever listened, paying close attention to the nonverbal cues, and seeking clarification on the messages relayed. This type of listening has been vital to my experience and I am convinced that the world could use a lot more of this type of listening, especially when we think that we are communicating in the same language.
The key to this type of communication is that we have to truly care about the people we are communicating with. We have to really want to receive their message and not just want to have our voices heard. Showing that we care about people can be difficult and can require us to venture into uncomfortable territory. I have developed a love for the people I have interacted with on my trip.
My fellow LSU peeps are amazing! I often find myself pondering how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many talented, caring, and dedicated individuals. We prepared workshops for the teachers at the school we are working with and as I listened to all the practice presentations, I was thoroughly impressed with the innovation and effort that had been put into this practice. This group of people is probably not one that would be super tight knit if not for this experience. As we have wondered through this adventure together we have gained a respect for one another and because of this a bond has been forged. This is truly an inspired program and I am eternally grateful for the amazing professors and coordinators who direct and guide it. We have had many fun experiences, but I will treasure my interactions with each of these amazing people forever!
The students have been so fun to work with. They always seem so excited when I enter the classroom which invigorates me and fills me with joy to be there. They go out of their way to stop and chat with me as I see them walking through the halls and I cannot usually make it very far before I get a high five and/or a hug. There are some differences in pedagogy and school structure, but kids are kids and I have found that there are many similarities to kids in the U.S. The biggest difference has been me, and how I have labored harder to understand them, this has given me greater insight than I could've ever imagined.
My brothers Stefano and Dylan have been wonderful and have been a daily reminder of how much I love my biological brothers. Our interactions have truly been almost the same as my interactions with my brothers back home. We are constantly joking and just having a great time. We are all competitive and have had some fun. There genuine excitement and pride when I scored a goal in their weekly fútbol game made me ecstatic. I am going to miss these brothers a lot.
My host parents, Marco and Patricia, are incredible. Neither of them speak much English, but they consistently labor to ensure I understand the conversations, plans, and everything that is going on. Their love for one another is so extremely evident that even without understanding most things they say I know beyond a doubt how devoted they are to each other. This is a new life goal of mine, that people will know how much I care about them without even being able to understand my words. I am grateful for this unique opportunity to experience the daily life of a Chilean family, but I was not prepared for how much this experience would impact me. As we drove home after the fútbol game I realized it has been over 17 years since I was last in the same place with my dad and my brothers. My heart was full as I realized what a privilege it was to feel apart of this family. This is a wonderful family and it is very sacred to me that I got to be a part of it!
As the begins to set on my experience in Concepción, I will try to safeguard every interaction I have with all these amazing people. I have had many fun adventures, but the people I have met are my favorite part. As I have truly labored to understand them, my love for them has grown and it will be hard for me to leave. I once heard someone say that if you want to see what someone cares about, see what they take pictures of. I take a lot of pictures of nature and sunrises/sunsets, and a few of people. I think that I care far more about people than those other things and although I may not take pictures of all the people I care about, their images are imprinted on my soul and these interactions shape my character. Hopefully, as I transition to whatever adventure lies in wait for me, I will be better at listening and understanding the people around me... Most of all, that I will be better at completely communicating my love for the people I am blessed to have in my life!
No comments:
Post a Comment