For the last three months, From April 17th-July17th, my travel partner Rob and I volunteered as IT and English Teachers in the rural village of Sri Lanka. I admittedly struggled though a good percentage of the classes that I taught, primarily caused by the language barrier and the lack of resources, but I can't help but look back and miss the adventure. The hospitality and kindness of those in the rural villages made me want to be a better person and I learned something from them every day.
Rob and I both agree that we enjoy the luxury of internet access and cell phone service, a hot shower, air-conditioning, familiar favorite foods, and our cars but that doesn’t mean that those re-entry feelings of uncertainty still don’t plague us. I love my family and friends but it is a great adjustment to live with people again when you have lived amongst them for so long. Who knows what I mean? I enjoy the extra material things that I have in the states but that also comes with those cost and responsibilities that we escaped during our simple existence in Rural Sri Lanka, Hingurukaduwa. The days were long but peaceful and quiet.
When I came home I immediately started looking for my place in society, a money making opportunity that could fill a void but also reorient me into the expectations of American living. I found an independent consulting sales opportunity and I returned to my safe-haven, the YMCA. Yet, these don’t boost me up to the feeling of -yes, I am doing something. I have also been making up for lost time in my family life but it seems like little has changed here, while I have experienced and changed greatly. The internal conflict and stress that this has caused me began to take over, feeling tired and/or stressed out constantly for the first week. But, taking time to analyze my feelings and appreciate what I have helps me to adjust more every day. It is the end of a chapter but the beginning of another. Although, I can’t say that the last chapter has completely finished. Sri Lanka just might call me again someday. For now I am going to put my focus on building my little business, teaching fitness classes, and maybe even grad school. It is funny how life can be so unconventional but revert so quickly when returning home. If you would like to read more about my adventure, please visit my personal blog: lizrosesrilanka.tumblr.com
Mark Twaine wrote: "Travel is fatal to racism." See Session 12 of this website to examine how all of us are connected in the pattern of life.
Sending my love to Sri Lanka!
Submitted by Elizabeth Rose,
John Looney Intern 2012-2013
Rob and I both agree that we enjoy the luxury of internet access and cell phone service, a hot shower, air-conditioning, familiar favorite foods, and our cars but that doesn’t mean that those re-entry feelings of uncertainty still don’t plague us. I love my family and friends but it is a great adjustment to live with people again when you have lived amongst them for so long. Who knows what I mean? I enjoy the extra material things that I have in the states but that also comes with those cost and responsibilities that we escaped during our simple existence in Rural Sri Lanka, Hingurukaduwa. The days were long but peaceful and quiet.
When I came home I immediately started looking for my place in society, a money making opportunity that could fill a void but also reorient me into the expectations of American living. I found an independent consulting sales opportunity and I returned to my safe-haven, the YMCA. Yet, these don’t boost me up to the feeling of -yes, I am doing something. I have also been making up for lost time in my family life but it seems like little has changed here, while I have experienced and changed greatly. The internal conflict and stress that this has caused me began to take over, feeling tired and/or stressed out constantly for the first week. But, taking time to analyze my feelings and appreciate what I have helps me to adjust more every day. It is the end of a chapter but the beginning of another. Although, I can’t say that the last chapter has completely finished. Sri Lanka just might call me again someday. For now I am going to put my focus on building my little business, teaching fitness classes, and maybe even grad school. It is funny how life can be so unconventional but revert so quickly when returning home. If you would like to read more about my adventure, please visit my personal blog: lizrosesrilanka.tumblr.com
Mark Twaine wrote: "Travel is fatal to racism." See Session 12 of this website to examine how all of us are connected in the pattern of life.
Sending my love to Sri Lanka!
Submitted by Elizabeth Rose,
John Looney Intern 2012-2013
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