This summer came with an abundance of opportunities for Ball State students. From international internships and mission trips, to the Olympics and vacations, here's how some students spent their break.
When senior communications major Leslie Thomas looked out the window from his airplane seat, a surreal feeling washed over him — he was in Africa. This was the first time Thomas had left the country, and at the first sight of the mountains and landscape structure, he was in awe.
The culture in Cape Town, South Africa, is a little different than in America, Thomas said. People were more relaxed, and their daily routines were always done with a purpose. Thomas noticed how people in Africa were much more open to people than Americans.
“If you approach a girl [in America], they will think you’re flirting,” Thomas said. "However, when you talk to a girl [in Africa], they are so excited to meet you, especially if you’re American.”
People talk about touchy subjects and are very blunt about everything, Thomas said. Even during casual conversation, they will ask what your religion is or what your values are. This was different for Thomas, because he wasn’t used to talking to strangers about things you would normally just tell your best friend. However, he began to adapt to the way of life in South Africa. Thomas learned he should slow down, question himself and think about what he’s doing. He said he realized people are more present and he should be too.
“I have all this time — why am I doing this, why do I have to go to the store, why do I have to write down my future events?” he said.
Madeline Grosh, a junior telecommunications major, was one of more than 50 students who traveled to Brazil for four weeks to report on the Olympics Games. Grosh met a lot of people who were either enthusiastic or concerned about the Olympics. She also learned about Brazilian history, food and drinks. Grosh was in Sao Paulo for 10 days, then went to Rio de Janeiro for three weeks.
“It was incredible,” Grosh said. “I was able to stand in Copacabana Beach, look one way and see Christ the Redeemer, and look the other way and see Sugarloaf [Mountain].”
Before traveling to Brazil, many of the students heard horror stories of water pollution, the Zika virus, and crime. But none of those things caused an issue for Grosh. Because it was technically winter in Brazil, mosquitos were not a problem, Grosh said. As for water pollution, it was a matter of finding which oceans were safe to swim in.
“You just had to be smart,” Grosh said about crime. “There was higher security in Brazil because of the Olympics.”
Getting to interact with Brazil’s people and culture proved to be an important experience for Grosh.
“Meeting the people there, they are so relaxed and well-dressed. Every day matters to them and they just try to see the best of everything,” Grosh said. “I want to live my days like this.”
Junior speech pathology major Kiersten Delaney was in Virginia Beach for 10 weeks on a mission trip.
“I walked towards the beach every day,” Delaney said.
While she was there, Delaney got a job at a souvenir shop. She communicated with her co-workers about their values and what they believe in. Getting to know her co-workers and the several international students there helped Delaney gain a new perspective.
“I’ve always believed in a certain thing and to hear what other people believe in, gives me a different perspective,” Delaney said.
This mission trip was about communication and learning about other cultures and lifestyle differences. This benefited Delaney because she grew up in a Christian household. Delaney said getting to talk to someone who isn’t a Christian about their values kept her open-minded.
During her free time Delaney, would spend her time at the beach — though she feared shark bites and jellyfish stings at first.
“I love the view and I can sit in the sand,” Delaney said. “I can touch the water, but only ankle deep.”
Delaney faced her fears eight weeks into the trip and was able to spend some time in the middle of the ocean.
“I’ve seen too many shark movies," Delaney said. "I hate being in the ocean, but it was one of the top ten highlights of the summer.”
Cruz Aleman, a senior nutrition and dietetics major, spent two months in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for an internship with the nongovernmental organization Environment Education. His main focus was to help design a nutrition workshop for children in Buenos Aires — the end result was a community garden bringing in children as young as four.
The work environment was very relaxed and employees didn’t get started right away. Rather, they would talk about their life before getting productive. Another cultural shock involved the food and drink.
“Coffee was mostly preserved after meals,” Aleman said. “It was really weird — they give you a shot glass and they pour the coffee in like it was water.”
People were very blunt in Argentina, Aleman said, and personal space didn't exist. Argentinians embrace each other and don’t spare anyone a cheek kiss.
Going on the trip and learning about another culture helped him see the world in a different way and brought a lot of happiness, Aleman said.
“I think this got me out of my shell," he said.
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