Being back in the wonderful state of Iowa again after being abroad in Guatemala for three weeks is certainly jarring. The other day I went to Culver’s and began ordering in Spanish before realizing my mistake. Having been to a country far different from our own and seeing the cultural differences between the two has really made me expand my worldview. The different values there, while they did invalidate our own, did make me view them through a new lense and think about why we have our values in the United States, such as productivity, individualism, etc.
I will truly miss the country of Guatemala and its breathtaking sights, but more so I will miss the friendships I made while there. Between the locals who I grew to know and my fellow students from the University, I made many bonds with people I don’t think I would’ve normally interacted with. And, while I may see some of the other students on campus this fall, I don’t think it’ll measure up to the experience of being abroad with them.
Lastly, while I had an incredible time in Guatemala and would love to return at some point in the future, returning to the States has made me incredibly grateful for some of the trappings of comfort we have here. While the Guatemalan climate was pleasant, I am so very happy to have access to consistent AC now. However, this also showcased to me differences between the economic development of different countries and demonstrated how not every nation is like the United States. Overall, my time abroad was eye-opening, and I plan to go abroad again.