An UnBELIZEable Experience
Do you how people say that they just had a ‘life changing’ experience, but it never seems to actually make any change in their lives? Belize for me really was a life changing experience. I think the biggest change it has had on me is gratitude and humility. The single most impacting experience we had for me was when we had the cultural immersion experience with the Garifuna tribe. When the guide went through the history of the tribe, from being invaded to enslaved to being slaughtered by colonists, he kept repeating the phrase, “and yet we survived.” I thought that was powerful because their people had been through so much and the impact of those traumatic events is still felt in the lives of the Garifuna people today. And yet they are surviving in the most beautiful way. They have a gratitude and appreciation for things I have been guilty of putting very little value in: community and the earth. The host willingly opened his home to a group of strangers, and we made a delicious meal using ingredients found locally. As we cracked coconuts and mashed plantains, we learned how this traditional meal is cooked at least weekly and every member of the family helps prepare and enjoy the meal. When was the last time I ate a meal with my whole family, whether that’s my actual family or the community of friends that I consider family? It certainly isn’t every week. The host told use about the common saying the Garifuna people live by, “I for you and you for me.” Everything is done in community with other. No one is left isolated because they serve and love each other. I learned that it is not only the Garifuna that have this ingrained sense of community, but Belize as a whole nation place a much higher value on community that the U.S. The trip has given me a new appreciation and gratitude for the things and people in my life. I also recognized my need to take a backseat approach when entering into a new experience or environment throughout the trip. I became hyper aware of how my own cultural values could contradict the values of the people I had the opportunity to interact with. By first observing and learning from others, I was able to be more humble and aware in my own values. I believe this to be vital skill as a counselor when meeting and interacting with clients, especially those with different cultural backgrounds.
Family-School-Community Partnerships Capstone Project 