Every time I travel abroad, I’m surprised by the prolificacy of American culture, including our movies, music media and even our clothes and restaurants. I was asked what state I was from, expecting for a foreigner not to know the quiet, unpopular state of Missouri. I bashfully told them the response “oh like the Netflix show, Ozarks” — I was surprised. While in Vietnam, I felt a unique sense of pride and simultaneously sadness and embarrassment. The kindness, curiosity and generosity of the Vietnamese is unmatched. I asked Vân, our interpreter and my new friend, why her country didn’t hate mine after the atrocities and war crimes committed on her people and land. She smiled, “We have a saying: ‘We may forgive but never forget.’”

The U.S.’s ability to be a cultural epicenter comes from the mixing of worldly cultures to create our own. I’ve been given many advantages by the luck of my place of birth. This leads me to the question: what do I owe the world? The top 10% of earners in the world create 50% of the world’s pollution. It’s easy to feel removed from the world’s issues like climate change and wealth and equality, but once you learn you only need to earn $40,000 USD yearly to qualify as the top 10% it changes your perspective. Service-learning may be a good first step but I want to do more.

This program has inspired me to change my major to focus on more global topics. I want to study geography and art history. While I believe journalism could change the world, I’m more interested in learning than educating in this part of my life. I must be educated before I can educate. But now I will share what I have learned about how I can make a global difference. First, it starts with me and how I live, reducing consumption of all goods is a great place to start. Next, spreading awareness about issues that matter and educating others can make a change, too. Overall, using your unique skills and privilege to make a change is the compassionate choice.

The experiences I have gained on this program have been unforgettable, but what has been most valuable are personal connections; nothing like true humanity to remind you we are not so different from one another. Even from the other side of the Earth. It’s easy for Americans to alienate new places and that’s what makes this scholarship so incredibly important, giving young adults with their malleable minds the opportunity to expand their worldview so they can continue to advocate and educate both people at home and people abroad. Many students will never get opportunities like these. There is much more to the world than just the U.S. perspective. I am so grateful to learn that, especially so early in my life and career. It will allow me more empathy while finishing my education, in my personal relationships and once I join the workforce. Vietnam has realigned with my life path reminding me what’s so close to my heart and truly important to me.

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Learn more about this blogger’s study abroad program: Community-Driven Teaching and Learning in Vietnam