The social work students and the intern pose together during one of their final lab group sessions.
[1] Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step. “Waging Peace.” Bantam Books, NY: 1992. pp. 99.
Time has flown by and I can’t believe that it is already the end of the semester. It seems like these past four months have been a whirlwind of activity, through the students’ arrival, to rural and urban homestays, internships and classes, and all of the general chaos of life in between. I can truly say that I have enjoyed seeing the journeys of all of the students this semester. They have moved through cycles of discovery, struggle, reflection, and finally transformation. I have enjoyed listening and laughing with all of the students, and I have appreciated what life experiences and points of view each and every one of them has had to offer.
This week we saw the students present their final projects, which were a culmination of all they have learned
throughout the semester. Each student was required to integra
te what they had learned and experienced in a creative project that they could share with those back home in the U.S. Students shared their new-found knowledge in a variety of mediums, including power point presentations, poetry/spoken word, and visual art. Seeing the final projects really inspired me. I am hopeful because I know that all of these students will bring their new-found knowledge and cultural sensitivity into the social work profession in the U.S. I have confidence that all of them will help to make this world a better place for all of us in their own unique ways.
On the final day of the program, Julie (the other intern) and I led a re-entry session with the students in the morning, where we taught the students about the process of re-entry culture shock. After the morning session, we had a closing ceremony with all of the students and program staff members. Julie and I used the metaphor of a candle to symbolize spreading the light of our community here at CEMAL to our friends, family, schools, and communities back home. As each person took the flame from the middle of the circle to light their own candle, they shared with the group a pledge to action that they had written that day. For me, this was a powerful reminder of not just the need for learning, but also for action.
This week we saw the students present their final projects, which were a culmination of all they have learned
throughout the semester. Each student was required to integra
te what they had learned and experienced in a creative project that they could share with those back home in the U.S. Students shared their new-found knowledge in a variety of mediums, including power point presentations, poetry/spoken word, and visual art. Seeing the final projects really inspired me. I am hopeful because I know that all of these students will bring their new-found knowledge and cultural sensitivity into the social work profession in the U.S. I have confidence that all of them will help to make this world a better place for all of us in their own unique ways.On the final day of the program, Julie (the other intern) and I led a re-entry session with the students in the morning, where we taught the students about the process of re-entry culture shock. After the morning session, we had a closing ceremony with all of the students and program staff members. Julie and I used the metaphor of a candle to symbolize spreading the light of our community here at CEMAL to our friends, family, schools, and communities back home. As each person took the flame from the middle of the circle to light their own candle, they shared with the group a pledge to action that they had written that day. For me, this was a powerful reminder of not just the need for learning, but also for action.
Julie leads some of the students in the
re-entry lab group session.
re-entry lab group session.
The final closing ceremony.
I would like to end with some words from Buddhist peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh. In his book Peace is Every Step, he says:
Many people are aware of the world’s suffering; their hearts are filed with compassion. They know what needs to be done, and they engage in political, social, and environmental work to try to change things. But after a period of intense involvement, they may become discouraged if they lack the strength needed to sustain a life of action. Real strength is not in power, money, or weapons, but in deep, inner peace. Practicing mindfulness in each moment of our daily lives, we can cultivate our own peace. With clarity, determination, and patience…we can sustain a life of action and be real instruments of peace.[1]
I would like to leave the students with a challenge to keep in mind as they step out into the world and move forward in their lives. I would like to challenge them to keep asking questions, looking deeper, challenging themselves, reflecting, sharing, and growing. We should all strive to practice mindfulness in our own lives, both in the small actions we take every day, and in the larger sense as well. As we each move forward on our journeys through life, let’s truly “wage peace”!
En Paz,
Lisa
CGE Social Work Intern, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Spring 2008
Many people are aware of the world’s suffering; their hearts are filed with compassion. They know what needs to be done, and they engage in political, social, and environmental work to try to change things. But after a period of intense involvement, they may become discouraged if they lack the strength needed to sustain a life of action. Real strength is not in power, money, or weapons, but in deep, inner peace. Practicing mindfulness in each moment of our daily lives, we can cultivate our own peace. With clarity, determination, and patience…we can sustain a life of action and be real instruments of peace.[1]
I would like to leave the students with a challenge to keep in mind as they step out into the world and move forward in their lives. I would like to challenge them to keep asking questions, looking deeper, challenging themselves, reflecting, sharing, and growing. We should all strive to practice mindfulness in our own lives, both in the small actions we take every day, and in the larger sense as well. As we each move forward on our journeys through life, let’s truly “wage peace”!
En Paz,
Lisa
CGE Social Work Intern, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Spring 2008
[1] Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace is Every Step. “Waging Peace.” Bantam Books, NY: 1992. pp. 99.
No comments:
Post a Comment