Nepal: Anna Johnson

Program: UW Global Health, Community Health and Health Disparity in Nepal, Summer

Anna’s Major: Undecided

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

One experience I had in Nepal early on that I felt tied into many things throughout my time on the program and was memorable was the Durbar Square Heritage Walk with Anil Patan. Anil Patan is a famous tour guide in Nepal. He has been in a documentary with Morgan Freeman and has given tours to people like Prince Harry. Anil made me think about Nepal and its culture more than ever. He spoke with such passion and wisdom that I wanted to hang onto every word. People even shook his hand when we crossed the street at a busy time. Anil has high respect for Nepal’s communities, which was shown by some of the things he chose to share with us. One lesson I found to be particularly impactful was the idea of how communities rebuild. Nepal faces many challenges, including natural ones. After a devastating earthquake that kills thousands and destroys the infrastructure, communities have to rebuild and find a way to make their communities whole again. Anil pointed out that the first step to recovery is focusing not on the tangible structures, such as physical places, but rather on the intangible factors of a community. Intangible factors can mean a lot of things. However, one thing I think an intangible factor means is the relationship between community members and the mental/social well-being of the community. If a horrifying experience ruins relationships and puts people in a poor mental state, no substantial physical rebuild can occur. The intangible factors (whatever those may be) are those that make up a community, not the physical ones. Connections and emotions of love and respect toward one another must occur first and be reconstructed if that community wants to make a sturdy physical appearance and I think that lesson from Anil is something I will always take with me.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

One of the most impactful experiences of my study abroad experience was the village stay. Our group went to a rural village for three nights to stay with a local family and perform a community project. It was completely different from anything I have ever done. I didn’t really know what to expect—I feel like you can only be prepared so much. However, I don’t even have the words to describe how immersed I was and how the connections I felt in the village made me feel. The village stay was so impactful because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had never been with a host family before who didn’t speak my language, and learning a new language terrifies me. I hate doing it. Spanish class in high school was something I dreaded, and when I found out I had to take a new language in college, I cried after the first day of that class. I wish learning a language clicked like it did for others. However, even though I couldn’t pronounce the words correctly and verbal communication was limited, I still tried to do everything I could to connect with my Didi (which is the name for Mom/Elder/someone I respect and was my host mom), and it worked. I could talk about the food, the weather, how I was feeling, and ask my Didi questions, all just by knowing a few words I knew I was probably butchering. I relied on using my hands and facial expressions. I looked forward to being at Didi’s house, with or without someone there to translate for me. I learned to effectively communicate with someone without using a ton of words and form a genuine connection with someone whom I will miss, which was a huge accomplishment for me since I have grown anxious over learning languages, not because I don’t respect the culture or have the will to learn. I simply find learning languages to be frustrating, but I am incredibly thankful to have a new perspective on communication.

What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?

Our group did a four-night trek outside of Pokhara, Nepal. On this trek, I was supposed to reflect on the past few weeks of the program with the main goal being to take the hike as slowly as possible. While on the trek, however, I also realized that I need to learn to slow my life down deliberately just like I did on the hike. I need to slow down and figure out what I want to major in and what classes to take. I want to continue to maximize my education and work on becoming a kind, well-rounded human being, and I can’t do that if I have the mindset I did at the beginning of the hike. The mentality that it is terrible to take time and that gap year. And that it looks poorly on you if you’re in the back of the group and don’t have a major figured out. At some point, every box on this made-up to-do list I had for myself needed to be checked off in a specific order; however, I’ve come to the realization that I don’t know which box to check off next or even if I have a box planned and that is terrifying for me. I enjoy my organization and have a hard time chilling out. Yet, I learned from the hike that it is okay that I don’t know which box to check off next and don’t need to because that process stopped working for me. I have grown out of that checking-off-a-box method because my life has gotten more complex since middle and high school. Taking it slow and taking advantage of shade and tea breaks can be a good thing and the Western culture of work till you drop doesn’t have to be my normal. There will still be times when I want to reach the end quickly but after this experience, I know how to take a step back and be deliberate in slowing down so I can continue to passionately educate myself, which many people might not know how to do in their lives.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

The advice I would give to future students going on this program or any study abroad program would be you have to keep an open mind; it is all about the experience. That concept is easier said than done, but try the new opportunities presented before you, even if that opportunity may seem terrifying. Your personality can change while on a study abroad program; it is normal to be more outgoing and want to try all the experiences, or the opposite could happen too. But with whatever changes may occur, always remember that you may never get an opportunity to be back or try those experiences again. Even if you don’t agree with some of the cultural practices being presented, a person can still try them without having to believe in them or make them their own. Be willing and open while going through a program and remember that you always have something to learn and try.