Final Reflections

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.