Consider
your pre-trip training (UNIV 305/306, other relevant course work or service),
service immersion experience in country, and your post-trip training (UNIV 307
and other relevant course work or service. How
would you define this style of learning, what are the benefits to this
pedagogy, what philosophy of learning have you established based on your
experience?
It’s crazy to
think that this semester is almost over, and that this much time has passed
since my summer in China. Nevertheless, the experiences are still just as near
to me as before. Since returning, there is a part of me that is yearning to
continue to build my connection with the culture as well as with
sustainability. Next semester, I will be taking Chinese medical terminology,
which will be relevant to my future aspirations in the medical field. I also
hope to find opportunities for future learning experiences in China and
elsewhere and abroad. As for sustainability, I’m excited to see the progress on
campus with respect to sustainability—from the reducing food waste campaign to
the recent formation of the Rice Urban Agriculture organization. I'm also looking
forward to interning at the Rice Farmers Market.
This entire
experience, starting from UNIV 305/306 to concluding with UNIV 307 after the
service trip, has been phenomenal. I think experiential learning, not to
mention extended service abroad, is highly beneficial. I appreciate the class
beforehand to prepare not only logistically but also ‘academically’ and
mentally through the journals and independent study paper. Framing discussions
in the context of sustainable service definitely made me more conscious and
actively aware during my service trip. This style of learning was more than
just preparing beforehand, but also going in with an open-mind and willingness
to learn more. This latter aspect is crucial, as it is at the core of
experiential learning, and entails the recognition that there is much more to
learn and discover than what is presented to you in media, news or otherwise.
These insights can really only be gained through experience—by being there,
immersed and engaged with the community and environment. For example, reading
over resources related to CURA (Chengdu Urban Rivers Association, the
organization I volunteered with) as well as the CURA website, I was intrigued
by how few full-time staff members they had—only 7. However, nothing I read
beforehand could have conveyed how inclusive, warm, and passionate the staff
was, not to mention how capable they were of accomplishing many projects with
the help of a strong and international network of volunteers. The trip itself
taught me not only about the culture and social issue I was working with, but
also about myself. In the process of developing and implementing a health
survey, I became more aware of how I worked with others, my communication—both my
strengths and weaknesses. I also gained tangible skills, including learning to
be on time.
Going forward from
this experience, my philosophy of learning has essentially broadened in terms
of both academic and geographic horizons. Prior to volunteering with CURA, my
experience with environmental sustainability was relatively limited. Nevertheless,
I got to learn ‘along the way,’ and soon enough even had the opportunity to
convey what I learned to others new to the eco-infrastructure model at the
local Anlong Village. With respect to the geographic ‘boundaries’ I am eager to
continue learning in the future through experiences abroad, though also keeping
perspective on all that can be gained locally, given the diversity here in
Houston. This experience has given me confidence in myself to continue to
challenge myself in the future by seeking experiences beyond the everyday while
also showing me how you can bring this experiences back locally, be it sharing
one-on-one with those you know or through what you do. At the same time, it
will also serve as a reminder of the importance of education and preparation beforehand,
reflection throughout, and the necessity of sustainability as well. This has
been a valuable philosophy, and I intend to apply it often in the future.
