Diversity Experiences
Chimbote, Peru
In June of 2014 and June of 2016, I had the opportunity to experience this first-hand by serving on a mission trip to Chimbote, Peru through Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. I encountered poverty and culture to the extent I had never seen before in the United States. Yet, while helping the people of Chimbote, we also respected and cherished their culture and traditions in the process of enculturation. In 2016, I had the exclusive opportunity to observe the five-year-old class at the mission. The mission had different classrooms for each age group two through six years old, and although I toured them all, I spent the most time observing the five-year-old classroom.
“Beyond prejudices and cultural barriers, of racial, linguistic, religious, and ideological separation, human beings must recognize themselves as brothers and sisters, and accept each other in diversity” (John Paul II, 1983). There always exists an importance to recognize and celebrate culture and diversity. Nevertheless, we are all human beings participating in the adventure of life. I searched for differences in Peru, and the Lord knows I found them. However, it was in searching for the differences that I found more similarities in our humanity than I imagined possible. “Thus, brothers must learn again to speak to each other as brothers, to respect each other, to understand each other, so that man himself may survive and grow in dignity, liberty, and honour” (John Paul II, 1983).
Trips and Pilgrimages
Tutoring
In June of 2014 and June of 2016, I had the opportunity to experience this first-hand by serving on a mission trip to Chimbote, Peru through Shanley High School in Fargo, North Dakota. I encountered poverty and culture to the extent I had never seen before in the United States. Yet, while helping the people of Chimbote, we also respected and cherished their culture and traditions in the process of enculturation. In 2016, I had the exclusive opportunity to observe the five-year-old class at the mission. The mission had different classrooms for each age group two through six years old, and although I toured them all, I spent the most time observing the five-year-old classroom.
“Beyond prejudices and cultural barriers, of racial, linguistic, religious, and ideological separation, human beings must recognize themselves as brothers and sisters, and accept each other in diversity” (John Paul II, 1983). There always exists an importance to recognize and celebrate culture and diversity. Nevertheless, we are all human beings participating in the adventure of life. I searched for differences in Peru, and the Lord knows I found them. However, it was in searching for the differences that I found more similarities in our humanity than I imagined possible. “Thus, brothers must learn again to speak to each other as brothers, to respect each other, to understand each other, so that man himself may survive and grow in dignity, liberty, and honour” (John Paul II, 1983).
Trips and Pilgrimages
- Visited family friends in Spain, Andorra, and France, 2008
- Traveled to Portugal and Spain for World Youth Day, 2011
- Visited Rome, Italy for a pilgrimage with the University of Mary, 2013
- Toured and studied England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Germany, and Greece for the Northern Ambassadors of Music choir tour
Tutoring
- In 2016, I tutored a high school student with ADHD and Dyslexia in English and Math.