Finding peace in the simple things
EDITOR'S NOTE: Throughout the summer, ASU students studying abroad will be writing back to the states about their overseas adventures. Fostering international student experiences is just one part of ASU's commitment to making a global impact.
Tabarik's blog:
I spent the last nights in Fiji on a village, living with a family and hearing stories about village life and cultural practices. It made me realize how simple life could truly be. Despite not having my everyday luxuries, which have become necessities in our all-too-developed world, the village families seemed so happy and content with their lives. In the evening we would enjoy traditional singing, dancing and drink a local beverage called kava. We also got to help out by planting coral, bananas, papaya and taro plants. It felt rewarding when we were done, to stand up and see all of the plants lined up in rows.
After a morning of work we enjoyed lunch and listened to our village friends sing us farewell songs. We stayed at the Beachouse, which gave us an amazing view of the ocean; I was not able to resist going horseback riding into the beautiful sunset ... purely breathtaking.
The next morning, as my classmates and I presented our final reflections, the vibe of farewell was once again in the air. I could not believe that after spending four weeks together, it was now over. So many people say that studying abroad is a must but honestly, you HAVE to do it! You learn things about yourself and the world that you could never learn just sitting in a lecture hall or anywhere at home. I promise, even if you think that you cannot do it, or that it would be hard to leave your family and friends, you will have no regrets after doing it. It is the most amazing feeling in the world, and you become a part of a whole new, unique family.
This trip would not have been amazing if not for the awesome faculty. I learned a lot from Deborah Williams and Alissa Ruth. One of the lessons I learned about health care systems is this: It is not just important to deliver what you think is the best health care treatment to an individual or community, but also what is significant to them. Cultural and traditional treatments are still widely practiced, and nobody has the power to impose other "more-developed" ideas onto a community. While many believe in receiving the highest quality of health care despite where you live, who you are and how much money you make, it should also be every individual's right to decide what that "highest quality" health care is.
Tabarik Ahmad, a global health major, will be a junior this fall. She is studying abroad in New Zealand and Fiji this summer.