I myself am an Anthropology and Spanish double major. I came on this trip yearning to learn about the unique culture and also use of Spanish and English together that makes the United States- Mexico border special. I have always been interested in the Spanish language and have through this come to love the cultures associated with it. The border is distinct in that it is strung between two cultures and languages: Spanish in Mexico and English in the U.S. But it should not be viewed as two parts of separate things; it is very much its own entity. During the course, I visualized the places and situations that we read about, and I can't believe that I am actually here, experiencing the same harsh, but beautiful environment that was portrayed so strongly in writing.
Today we had the opportunity to meet with Gail Emrick, a contact of Dr. Goldberg's who has worked in multiple countries of Latin America and is now stationed in Arizona. She graciously invited us to her home to relax and chat followed by a swim in her backyard pool. She began our visit by showing us the various pieces that she has brought back with her from her travels. Her home is full of these; hearing the various stories behind these items touched me deeply. We soon learned that has helped so many people in so many places, and through this has made connections that will last a lifetime. I think this is one aspect of anthropology that is so attractive to me: the fact that field work goes beyond just doing your job; in turn you make lifelong relationships with the people that you encounter along the way.
We sat casually around a table in Gail's beautiful backyard and went around the circle introducing ourselves with not only our names but also what drives (or drove) us in our Hendrix education: not only majors but also simply interests; we are all very curious about the world around us. She had something to say in turn to each individual person, and through this we could all see her passion in the broad span of work that she does. Her primary work is in health, but this is so much more than what it seems. Along the way, she spoke to us about hunger and locally sustainable agriculture, water, sanitation, immigration, borders, culture, language, politics and democracy, education, and religion. The way in which she speaks about her work is truly inspiring: I think that each of us have a deep appreciation for the way in which Gail lives her life. She ended her talk by saying to us that she went into what she does knowing that she would not make an abundance of money or live in an extravagant way. Despite this, she has never woken up in the morning dreading going to work or hating her job. This idea is something that I strive to have in my own life: I study what I study because I love it and am passionate about it; I do not worry myself with how much money I will make in fields that are accessible after school because of the degree that I chose. It is often rare that us as Americans meet someone with this ideology, and throughout the past few days every single person that we have come into contact with has shared this passion for what they are doing with their lives. We are so fortunate to meet so many great people, and we owe it all to Dr. Goldberg and the connections that she has made throughout her work.
Not only did I identify with what Gail was saying in terms of the way that she feels about her job, but what she talked to us about also made me think more about what I really want to do in the future. Yes, I am only entering my junior year of undergrad in the fall, but Hendrix gives its students so many opportunities to explore what they want to specialize in within their area of study; it is never too early to start thinking. Not only does Gail work with Latin American countries, but she has a real passion for helping people. She clarified that a way in which we can help people, especially in Latin America, is to educate people here in the United States. Dr. Goldberg brought up the point at dinner that the vast majority of us, a very educated group, didn't know about the 25-plus times that the U.S. has invaded various countries in Latin America before we came to college. If more people here were aware of not only this fact but so much more about Latin America as well as immigration, there is the possibility for change to take place. How many people know that putting up the border fence, a recent addition in the past few years, has so many social implications? Families that could previously roam freely across the border are now separated by a wall. Another interesting fact that struck me was that there is no other border in the world like the one here: a place in which the haves and the have- nots are divided so distinctly. It is purely chance that you are born on one side or the other; you have no control over this overwhelming part of your life. If Americans were educated about the realities of not only immigration but other issues, would positive change come about?
Talking to Gail today brought up so many thoughts in my head, all having to do with my future. Do I want to work with immigrants and immigration here in the United States? Should I work along borders in Latin America? Would I rather help women develop sustainable food and clean water so that they can go to school and not have to collect water all day, burning more than half of their daily caloric intake? How can I make a difference in the world by not only changing my own life, but changing the lives of others? These are questions that I hope to explore further as we continue our trip, finish my undergraduate education, and see the world. I don't know if I'll determine a singular thing that will claim my whole heart, but I do know that I will end up doing something that I can pour myself into and use my education and experiences in order to help others in some shape or form. I look forward to this and am so grateful to have Hendrix and Dr. Goldberg to help me in this journey.
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