My Scholarship entry - Seeing the world through other eyes

sarahlynn2 — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:51:55 GMT

Hundreds of eyes stared as the odd group walked through the wild streets of Delhi. Cars honked constantly – when they stopped, when they went, when they turned – in the sweltering summer heat. Trash and rubble filled the sidewalks. Pollution left a haze across the sky, blocking the sun so it was just a muddled, glowing orb behind the smog. Vendors lined the streets selling everything from Buddha statues, fruit, and name-brand Abibas and Neke watches.
As these strange sights and sounds filled the eyes of nineteen poor college students, they were being observed with just as much curiosity by the Indians who lived there. To them, these outsiders were not poor college students, but rich Americans.
The Nebraskan students had come to put their journalism skills to use in a new environment. Now far away from the mundane of clean-cut suburbia, everything seemed like a story. Giddy Indian children rushed up to have their pictures taken, while others knocked on the windows of taxis for rupees. People seemed to cover every inch of cement – walking, biking, sitting, eating. Barbers even set up shop along the street as homeless slept nearby.
The story worth most, though, was of the generous Indian spirit. In the slums, those who had so little to give offered what they could, providing endless cups of masala chai and sweet biscuits. Adults and children alike gathered around as the journalism students would interview someone. The voices of the unheard were heartbreaking, with stories coming from trash pickers to children who had been abandoned, and even women who terminated their unborn daughters. But through it all, Indian pride remained.
It never failed; the Midwesterners were met with selfless generosity by everyone they met. The stories they wrote and the pictures they took could never fully express the kindness they frequently received. As the group left the Delhi airport, they were going back as poor college students, but rich with experiences.

See the world as your own city

sarahlynn2 — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 04:14:00 GMT

Yesterday I was taking pictures at a local event. While photographing, a guy talked to me about the camera I was using - a Canon 1D with a 70-200mm lens. So, naturally, he was curious how a poor college student like me was able to afford such a camera, and I told him it was borrowed through my university's journalism program. So we began talking about my major and what I've done in college. He was shocked that I had traveled to India.

That's when conversation turned to the dangers of traveling. He has a daughter in high school who is traveling to Spain this summer with EF Tours. It's her first trip abroad, and as a dad, he's naturally worried. So I talked with him about traveling and was able to quell some of his concerns.

Something I've noticed is that traveling to other places is not much different than traveling around your own city. There are dangers to face no matter where you go. As long as you're smart, walk with some confidence and trust your instincts, I don't think there's much to worry about.

Travelers are always going to be more vulnerable to dangers in new cities, but keeping your head on your shoulders and treating a city like your own will help keep you out of trouble.

People, in general, are good. Don't let the bad ones keep you from traveling somewhere that may seem risky.

Sarah's Travels

My Scholarship entry - Seeing the world through other eyes

See the world as your own city