Envelope #10: Open two days after the last question

Prompt: Now that you’ve had time to process the community member’s response, has there been any change in the way you approach your service? In any case, comment on your thoughts over the last two days related to his/her response. 

In reading this, I realize now that at some point my envelopes got out of order—I had interpreted the heading to mean the last question as in the final Loewenstern prompt. Nevertheless, it’s definitely still valid. Since my conversation with Yuling and my first week adjusting to CURA, I think I definitely placed a stronger focus on the sociocultural factors to take into consideration when developing the survey instrument. I was more keen to pick up on differences. For example, while it’s perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to give some sort of financial compensation for those who volunteer to complete a survey, this is unacceptable in China, where this gesture is seen almost as a bribe of sorts meant to elicit a particular response. Additionally, in my interactions with others while working with CURA, I don’t filter things as right or wrong, but rather understand things to be different than what I’m used to. When I met Grandpa Luo of Anlong Village for the first time, he showed us around his yard, including his 7 beeboxes. I learned that he removed all the honey from the boxes and fed the bees sugar water over the winter. 

On the other hand, a local Houston beekeeper explained to our ASB group that only the surplus honey was harvested, leaving enough for the bees. Finding this contrast interesting, I shared with Grandpa Luo about the more sustainable but less economical practice I saw back home, allowing for an exchange of ideas. I respect both methods and value the insights each beekeeper has shared with me.

Overall, gaining perspective from a community member has helped me have a more open-mindset going into service, and always finding ways to apply what I learn of society and of local culture to my service in the hopes of better suiting the target population.