Back in the United States

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been back in the United States and I’ve had time to process my travels both on a micro level and a macro level. What I mean by this is I’ve been able to share personal experiences with family members and friends, and have also have been able to think about and discuss larger issues that I encountered throughout the semester. Last week I taught classes at ESD (my alma mater), which really helped me articulate some of my observations. I taught three of my mom’s English classes, and taught a sophomore Honors Humanities class. In those classes I discussed race relations in three countries: Japan, Mauritius, and South Africa. The other day I taught six freshmen world cultures classes, where I discussed how I perceived these countries as an American, and how I was received as an American. I had a great time discussing these topics with the students; they were so eager to soak up information and were excited to hear about some of my adventures (meeting the 105-year-old and 104-year-old couple in rural Vietnam was one of their favorites).

I have to be honest and say it’s been harder than I expected thus far to verbalize my experiences with others. When people ask, “how was it?” I want to ask back, “well, to which country are you referring?” It’s extremely difficult to compare so many different countries in a blanketed statement. I also feel like I am doing an injustice to many countries if I happen to not discuss them as much. So, I will do the best I can to share my thoughts with you. I’ve noticed that there are also two types of people who have asked me about my time abroad. Those that are into the superficial, (I’ll call it the “easy questions”), and those who really want to know about different cultures around the world and some of the issues with which I grappled. Either is fine, but sometimes it’s hard to know whether people want the short answer or the long answer! I will do a little bit of both in this entry. I’ll answer some questions that I’ve seen come up again and again, and then also discuss what I’ve been ruminating over since I’ve been back.

Most popular question: What was your favorite country?

Answer: Japan and India, for sure. I loved both of them for the same reason, though they appeared in opposite ways! Even though Japan was quiet, orderly, and stark, the people I met were incredibly kind, respectful, and hospitable. I also loved India for the people I met, and they were just as kind. India is much more chaotic and less developed than Japan, however. The individuals I met in India had such warm hearts and hugged me the instant they met me. Both countries are beautiful, have delicious food, interesting culture, and fantastic people that make you want to stay there forever. South Africa is a close third. It is a country I would love to return to for both its aesthetic and tourism appeal, and also for an academic appeal. If I return to South Africa, I would love to analyze the differences between Johannesburg and Cape Town and research race relations further. I would also love to climb Table Mountain again and return to the Cape of Good Hope!

Question 2: What was the weirdest thing you ate?

Answer: Either octopus balls in Japan or chicken I ate in Vietnam. In Japan I ate a piece of octopus that had been covered in batter and cooked in a ball shape. In Vietnam I ate chicken that had bones crushed into the meat (sorry if you’re squeamish!). I must say the octopus balls were much better than the chicken.

Question 3: How are you doing after your illnesses?

Answer: First, thanks for asking. I am doing much better, though I hate that illness has to come up in discussion! I got over the sea sickness, gastro-intestinal illness, and food poisoning just fine. My body is readjusting slowly, but I know it’s happy to be back on land.

Question 4: What was life on the ship like?

Answer: It was very different, but I got used to it. We did have classes and final exams, so don’t worry, I didn’t take a hiatus from school work. It was weird because we did have a good amount of free time, but we usually found ways to creatively entertain ourselves. Ship life was not the best part of my time abroad, but that was to be expected. I went for experiences in the countries, and that’s what I got out of the program. I made four close friends, all of which I hope to stay in contact with. They are wonderful people who I hope will be lifelong friends!

Finally, I made a list of the experiences most frequented throughout my journey: I hiked in four countries: China, Vietnam, Mauritius, and South Africa.

I ate ice cream/frozen yogurt in eight ports: Hawaii, China, Japan, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Ghana, and Brazil!

I visited schools in five ports: Hawaii, Japan, India, Ghana, and Brazil.

I shopped at indoor/outdoor markets in seven ports: Hawaii, China, Vietnam, India, Mauritius, South Africa, and Ghana.

I met/talked with school-age children in seven ports: Japan, China, Vietnam, India, South Africa, Ghana, and Brazil.

I bought Christmas ornaments in every port but Hawaii!

I haven’t struggled too much with culture shock since I’ve been back. For those of you who remember, I studied abroad for six months in Australia my junior year in high school. When I came back to the US, I had an extremely hard time readjusting to American life. I think my time abroad with Semester at Sea didn’t bring a strong culture shock for two reasons. First of all, I never acculturated into one country. I never went through changes as I adjusted to a culture for a long period of time. Sure, I had to adapt to situations and was startled by some of the things I saw, but I never became truly a part of those cultures. Second, I think because I was on an American program with American students, I still remained in the US culture. When I was in Australia I was the only American, so I felt isolated from my home culture. But the ship life was full of American culture. The only main difficulty I’ve had readjusting to US culture is noticing how big the cars and homes are. I am still shocked by the sheer mass of everything in the US, and our country’s drive and obsession with wealth and material possessions.

The main issue that I have been thinking about is how I want to become a global citizen. During the school visits in different countries, I was drawn to the students’ excitement to be in school, and their gratitude to sit on the floor, in no air conditioning, in a crowded room. But I am also passionate about the education injustices in our own country, and the disparities that class and race create in the public school system. I am fighting an internal battle whether to help the children and our brothers and sisters in developing nations, or whether to help children in my own country. Both situations tug at my heart, and make me realize that I have a calling to work with students, of any age, in the education system. I have created a way for myself to feel like I can make a difference both in the United States and hopefully abroad. I mentioned in my India entry that I would like to do a fundraiser for the NGO that helps children get out of child labor and into primary schools. I wish to do a fundraiser at Kenyon in the fall. I also will be applying to various teaching fellow programs at school districts around the country. Hopefully, after I graduate, I will continue working with the NGO in India, and also be able to teach in a classroom and in a school district of need in the United States.

My time abroad is indescribable in a way, and I hope that this entry gives you a glimpse into what it’s been like since I’ve returned. I apologize for my difficulty to express my thoughts, but I encourage you to email me or have a conversation with me in the future if you wish to discuss anything about any of the countries. I am passionate about seeing the world and traveling, as well as my experiences abroad, and often I find it easier to articulate my observations and questions in a discussion setting rather than a one-way conversation! Please feel free to email me at analise.gonzalez@gmail.com. I loved getting a few emails during the semester asking questions or asking for me to elaborate a bit further, and hope that if anything stands out to you, you won’t hesitate to ask. Thank you, once again, for following my journey, and I encourage you to create a journey for yourself this summer, no matter where you will be.