Two Lessons Learned From International Travel
My first trip internationally was to Antigua, Guatemala. I was a junior in high school begging my mom to let me go on a mission trip. While in Guatemala we built homes, delivered water filters, swam between two volcanoes, and shared the Gospel of Jesus with locals. It was there that I realized why I loved traveling and serving internationally.
Language is NOT a barrier.
In 2017, I served for two weeks in southern Madagascar. While visiting villages in the bush, we accompanied the local church on a seven-mile hike to the beach to take part in baptisms. When I sat in the sand, sunburned and sweating, a local girl (about 12 years old) came and sat with me. I began to draw in the sand, “flower” I said to her after I completed my drawing. She repeated the word after me and then said, “Voninkazo” (flower in Malagasy) and I would try to repeat after her. Other local girls began to join us, while the words and pictures continued to change. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by about fifteen girls exchanging basic vocabulary in each of our native languages as they laughed at the way I pronounced things in Malagasy. I formed a relationship with fifteen Malagasy girls without knowing or speaking their language. I am not ignorant to the fact that language is important and beneficial, but it is not a barrier to building connections with strangers.
Language exchange on the beach of southern Madagascar with local girls.
2. Find comfort in being uncomfortable.
The greatest cultural experiences I have had, have been spent in the homes of locals. While visiting my friend in Spain, I lived with her family for nearly a month. I did everything with them, including celebrating the new year and Christmas (January 6 in Spain). I spent time in the shop that her parents own in Leon. I ate meals at her grandmother’s house, and bought presents for my “Spanish parents.” I was treated like a part of her family the entirety of my stay. This was cultural immersion. I did not attempt to find western comfort in another country; I found comfort in a new culture.
When I was scolded for being barefoot in the house, I put on the slippers I was offered without question. In Madagascar when I was given sandy rice to eat, I ate it gratefully because I knew they did not have much to offer. In Puerto Rico, I attempted (and failed) to play the congas because a local man was willing to teach me.
This is not to say I have been flawless in this aspect of traveling. In Guatemala, we stayed in a very nice and expensive hotel. Still, I complained about a lack of air conditioning while we built simple homes for locals whose houses were falling apart. Finding comfort in being uncomfortable was something I learned quickly in other experiences. It is the only way to truly understand the world we live in.
My Spanish parents and sister <3
On my first international trip to Guatemala we built a house for this little girl and her family.
