2 months. That is how long until I will be embarking on my adventure to Botswana.
In 2 months from now I will be on my way to what will be my new home for 8 months. This has all become more real, particularly with the insights into Botswana I have learned from doing research for a recent group project. As the days pass seemingly faster and my placement approaches, more and more thoughts run through my head, as well as feelings of excitement, fear and anticipation.
In 2 months from now I will be on my way to what will be my new home for 8 months. This has all become more real, particularly with the insights into Botswana I have learned from doing research for a recent group project. As the days pass seemingly faster and my placement approaches, more and more thoughts run through my head, as well as feelings of excitement, fear and anticipation.
There is also another feeling that is harder to describe, as I begin to picture myself in a different society and culture in completely different part of the world. This feeling is almost one of wonder and marveling at the innate connections among human beings from all walks of life. While it is difficult to describe, I found it summed up perfectly in a TED Talk I watched recently. Candy Chang, an artist, seeks to improve her communities through art that prompts people to reflect upon and share their stories, secrets, wishes and dreams. She turned an abandoned house into a giant chalkboard and asked the question "Before I die I want to…", allowing anyone to write their responses in the blanks provided on the chalkboard. | |
Candy puts forward some interesting and inspiring ideas from a variety of perspectives, notably from an art perspective and one of participatory community development. In an earlier blog post I discussed the power art can have as a tool of spreading a message and creating positive development, which is especially the case in interactive art pieces like the one Candy has created. Furthermore, this piece of artwork serves as a community development project, making use of a dilapidated space to brighten the neighbourhood and to bring people together through the sharing of their thoughts, allowing the people themselves to contribute to creating a shared sense of community.
As was evident in the video, this idea started small but has had a large impact, and has been easily scaled up and used in multiple locations around the world to have a similar effect. This further demonstrates to me the innate forces that connect all human beings through our similar thoughts, experiences, emotions and desires. I found it inspiring to hear what other people came up with in response to Candy's question, and realized how easy it is for me to connect with other people who I haven't met, just by reading about their wishes. A project like this gives a look into the minds of others and allows for inspiring ideas to be shared.
I found this Talk to be extremely powerful and moving. I encourage you to watch it, and maybe you will get even the smallest glimpse at the feeling I felt as I think ahead to my placement. Not only are the ideas and her story inspiring, but Candy's overall message, as she states at the end, is clear: two of the most valuable things we have are time and our relationships with others.
In the remaining 2 months before my placement in Botswana, I will be sure to make the most of my time and cherish the relationships that I have. While I will be away from friends and family, I will still be connected to them, and will build new connections with people I meet on my travels, as people are far more alike than they are different.
As was evident in the video, this idea started small but has had a large impact, and has been easily scaled up and used in multiple locations around the world to have a similar effect. This further demonstrates to me the innate forces that connect all human beings through our similar thoughts, experiences, emotions and desires. I found it inspiring to hear what other people came up with in response to Candy's question, and realized how easy it is for me to connect with other people who I haven't met, just by reading about their wishes. A project like this gives a look into the minds of others and allows for inspiring ideas to be shared.
I found this Talk to be extremely powerful and moving. I encourage you to watch it, and maybe you will get even the smallest glimpse at the feeling I felt as I think ahead to my placement. Not only are the ideas and her story inspiring, but Candy's overall message, as she states at the end, is clear: two of the most valuable things we have are time and our relationships with others.
In the remaining 2 months before my placement in Botswana, I will be sure to make the most of my time and cherish the relationships that I have. While I will be away from friends and family, I will still be connected to them, and will build new connections with people I meet on my travels, as people are far more alike than they are different.