I am very grateful to the YMCA of the USA and the YMCA of Greater Seattle for giving me the opportunity to come down and work with the YMCA of Guatemala. This has been an amazing experience and I hope that someday all of you are able to experience life in another country or to appreciate the educational experience of a intercultural exchange.
No matter how much I do not want to thinking about it, the universe keeps trying to remind me that I have to leave Guatemala in less than a month. It is starting to creep into all of my conversations, my thoughts and even my dreams at night. While still trying my hardest to be fully present to my life here in Guatemala, I am faced to also start planning for life back in Seattle. Where will I live, what will my job be at the Seattle Y, what bus route can I take and how will I adjust to the upcoming culture shock. Experience has taught me a lot about readjusting back to US culture, but no matter how much I try to prepare myself, it is always very challenging for me!
After 4 months here in Guatemala, I am just starting to feel like part of the YMCA Guatemala team, more confident in my spanish and am finally able to support my coworkers. In all honesty, I am a little scared to return to life in the states. Most of my fear is for the culture difference, as those of you who know me all know that it is hard for me to live in the U.S. My mom likes to say that the only reason that I don't fit in because I don't want to; and I am sure that part of that is true.
In the Guatemalan culture everyone greets strangers and shows affection to the people that they know. Walking down the street I am constantly greeted by strangers that take the time to say 'hello', 'good day', 'have a nice trip', that is just from the strangers that I encounter. I am constantly being hugged and kissed (on the cheek that is) with everyone at work, at home, friends of friends (even the first time that we meet). The challenge is from leaving the affectionate culture of Guatemala to return to our (in my opinion) dry and cold culture of the states. I am in no way trying to offend anyone but am just speaking from my experience and the way that I feel.
In my life in Seattle, it is rare that someone would even look at me let alone talk to me on the bus. When I lived alone, I would go days (at times weeks) without the human contact that is so abundantly part of the Guatemalan/latin daily culture. I feel that although we all have giving hearts and good intentions, that we do not always know how to express that emotion, or perhaps that we express it in different ways.
I write all of this for two reasons.
1. I ask for your help and patience as I struggle to readjust to the U.S. culture at the end of November. Hugs are always welcome! =-)
2. I guarantee you that I am not alone in my struggles to live and feel comfortable in the U.S. culture. My hope is that we take this information, my experience, into consideration when working with newcomers (immigrants, refugees, international visitors). I am in no way suggesting that we go around and start kissing all newcomers in our community (you would end up in the looney bin or jail). But I do think that there is value in reevaluating how we (at the YMCA) welcome newcomers into our programs and our branches.
This is in no way a closure to my experience in Guatemala,I still have one month left and am sure that it will be full of interesting experiences. I just wanted to share my thoughts and ask for your support upon my return.
(Yes mom, I promise to return on November 26th, you do not have to come get me!)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Youth Trip to Japan
Here is a special treat for you all... this summer a group of youth and two staff members from the Seattle YMCA traveled to Japan to learn about the YMCA, the history and culture of Japan, and to participate in a cross-cultural exchange. Below is an article written by Erin McLean, a junior at Inglemoor High School and one of the youth participants on the trip.
Kind strangers are teen's GPS in Japan
By Erin McLean
This summer I traveled to Japan as part of an annual teen delegation, formed from a more-than-40-year partnership between the YMCA of Greater Seattle and the Kobe, Japan, YMCA. I had a number of great and not-so-great experiences. I visited Hiroshima and met a survivor of the A-bomb, visited more temples and shrines than I can remember, dined at the fanciest French restaurant I had ever been to and rapped the national anthem, but the most meaningful experience I had was learning to navigate the Japanese transportation system alone.
One of our tasks during our stay with a host family was to provide our own transportation from their house to the different stations where we met. This meant, for a majority of the teens, their host family would drive or take the train with them. This was not the case for me.
My first host family, due to other obligations, drove me to the train station and sent me on my way with a hug and directions to the platform. I ended up at a station only a few blocks away from my final destination and in a series of events was given the wrong directions and had to walk two miles, uphill, dragging a 50-pound suitcase in 100-degree humid weather.
I have excellent navigation skills, but since I do not read nor speak Japanese, I could not tell which stop to get off at. Also, I didn't know how to ask for directions in Japanese, and the people I asked directions from had limited knowledge of English. In the end, we resorted to hand gestures.
Transportation between my second host family and our teen delegation's meeting spot went much more smoothly because I had a few days to mull over how I could make the trip better. I found a few signs on the train that rotated between Japanese and English; my host mom told me which bus I could take home from the station; and I learned how to ask where a train went.
I thought that by traveling to Japan I could have a little more independence, but I learned I needed to rely on others, even total strangers. I had to adopt some of the language and know exactly where, when and how I was getting home and back every day. I could not just improvise and figure out a path on the fly, or I would end up lost again. The people of Japan were friendly and willing to help, even if they could not understand me. I wish I could once again thank the strangers I randomly selected out of the crowd for taking the time to send me in the proper direction. They were a small but significant example of the hospitality of Japan and the kindness the people of the world possess.
The lesson I took back with me to the U.S. is: Travel is not about showing your independence but learning to rely on strangers from different backgrounds and gaining new experiences.
Kind strangers are teen's GPS in Japan
By Erin McLean
This summer I traveled to Japan as part of an annual teen delegation, formed from a more-than-40-year partnership between the YMCA of Greater Seattle and the Kobe, Japan, YMCA. I had a number of great and not-so-great experiences. I visited Hiroshima and met a survivor of the A-bomb, visited more temples and shrines than I can remember, dined at the fanciest French restaurant I had ever been to and rapped the national anthem, but the most meaningful experience I had was learning to navigate the Japanese transportation system alone.
One of our tasks during our stay with a host family was to provide our own transportation from their house to the different stations where we met. This meant, for a majority of the teens, their host family would drive or take the train with them. This was not the case for me.
My first host family, due to other obligations, drove me to the train station and sent me on my way with a hug and directions to the platform. I ended up at a station only a few blocks away from my final destination and in a series of events was given the wrong directions and had to walk two miles, uphill, dragging a 50-pound suitcase in 100-degree humid weather.
I have excellent navigation skills, but since I do not read nor speak Japanese, I could not tell which stop to get off at. Also, I didn't know how to ask for directions in Japanese, and the people I asked directions from had limited knowledge of English. In the end, we resorted to hand gestures.
Transportation between my second host family and our teen delegation's meeting spot went much more smoothly because I had a few days to mull over how I could make the trip better. I found a few signs on the train that rotated between Japanese and English; my host mom told me which bus I could take home from the station; and I learned how to ask where a train went.
I thought that by traveling to Japan I could have a little more independence, but I learned I needed to rely on others, even total strangers. I had to adopt some of the language and know exactly where, when and how I was getting home and back every day. I could not just improvise and figure out a path on the fly, or I would end up lost again. The people of Japan were friendly and willing to help, even if they could not understand me. I wish I could once again thank the strangers I randomly selected out of the crowd for taking the time to send me in the proper direction. They were a small but significant example of the hospitality of Japan and the kindness the people of the world possess.
The lesson I took back with me to the U.S. is: Travel is not about showing your independence but learning to rely on strangers from different backgrounds and gaining new experiences.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Busy Times in the YMCA of Guatemala
Two weekends ago we had a retreat for all of the program volunteers of the YMCA Guatemala, 60 in total. It was great to be with the youth for the entire weekend and this was the first time that the group has come together since Luis, Eleazar and Mario were killed. It was a very meaningful and fun weekend full of laughter, tears, hugs and prayers. The youth lead the vigil and reflection time which was a very touching and intense experience! One of the most sentimental moments in my Y experiences.
I am constantly amazed by the love and intense dedication that the youth have for the YMCA. Most of the youth have been in the Y as participants and volunteers since they were the age of 7 or 8. The youngest person that is currently volunteering for the YMCA and was with us over the weekend is 10 years old.
Here is a pic of all of the program youth volunteers from Comalapa, Tierra Nueva, San Cristobal and Amatitlan.
This last weekend a group of 50 Canadians arrived from the YMCA of Montreal. The group is absolutely wonderful, but as you can all imagine a group of 50 is a little challenging to keep track of. Luckily they are all bi or trilingual and are experienced travelers. The YMCA of Montreal has just started a formal partnership with the YMCA of Guatemala and they brought this delegation to support the YMCA as well as to attend the Americas Social Forum, which the YMCA of Guatemala helped plan http://www.forosocialamericas.org/queesfsa_en.php
I am constantly amazed by the love and intense dedication that the youth have for the YMCA. Most of the youth have been in the Y as participants and volunteers since they were the age of 7 or 8. The youngest person that is currently volunteering for the YMCA and was with us over the weekend is 10 years old.
Here is a pic of all of the program youth volunteers from Comalapa, Tierra Nueva, San Cristobal and Amatitlan.
This last weekend a group of 50 Canadians arrived from the YMCA of Montreal. The group is absolutely wonderful, but as you can all imagine a group of 50 is a little challenging to keep track of. Luckily they are all bi or trilingual and are experienced travelers. The YMCA of Montreal has just started a formal partnership with the YMCA of Guatemala and they brought this delegation to support the YMCA as well as to attend the Americas Social Forum, which the YMCA of Guatemala helped plan http://www.forosocialamericas.org/queesfsa_en.php
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