Dear Mr. Mason,
I have just finished my six months of travels and am currently taking the time to reflect on all I have had the opportunity to see and do. From my African adventures in Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa, to exploring Sri Lanka, India and Nepal in Central Asia, my horizons have been broadened beyond measure. I have understood the value of how far something as simple as a smile can go in foreign countries where we may not share the same language or upbringing, and how kind people can be to teach you about their culture and local ways of living.
Ghana, Tanzania and South Africa had some of the kindest communities that I got the chance to witness throughout my travels. From welcoming us into their homes to offering to teach us how to make fufu, a local Ghanian delicacy, it was so comforting to feel welcomed in places that originally felt so far from home. It was a big culture shock for me, as it was the start of my travels and my first time away from home. As daunting as it was, the goodbye was absolutely the hardest part and no sooner had I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and thrown into volunteering at local schools teaching English in Ghana, observing Tanzanian hospitals and completing conservation work in South Africa. The smiles on the children’s faces are something I’ll never forget, as they were overjoyed to answer any questions I threw at them. The landscapes I saw in Africa, being a geographer myself, were so different to anything I was used to seeing at home: from the flat planes of the Ngorongoro Crater, to the Zanzibar sandy beaches and the Capetonian sunsets. All three countries are now permanently on my list to travel back to one day, as I could explore them forever and still have things to see!
Onto the latter half of my gap year, I jumped continent to Asia. Having previously lived in China and Hong Kong for 5 years, I was unsure of what Central Asia would hold and I could not have been more blown away by the unique culture that was waiting for me. I started in Sri Lanka, a small island with such diverse environments, it really has something for everyone. A coastline filled with tropical beaches as well as the temples and hills to be explored by the famous trains and tuktuks. I volunteered at a turtle conservation sanctuary where I got to learn about how they rescue endangered turtles and help protect the hatching turtles from poachers. We witnessed one turtle being set free, after its rehabilitation period at the sanctuary and even did a baby turtle release. Following on from this, I volunteered at a dog rescue, a prominent issue in Sri Lanka with so many stray dogs in need of care. We helped clean the kennels, feed the dogs as well as wash and remove the ticks from them. Being such a dog-lover, it was very sad to see so many dogs in such critical conditions but it was heart-warming knowing we did all we could as volunteers.
Moving onto the mainland, I was originally daunted by my plans to volunteer in India due to the preconceived ideas people often have about the country. I was so relieved the moment I landed in Delhi at 4am and was greeted by such lovely coordinators from the programme. It exceeded all of my expectations and allowed me to view the country in such a different light, something I hope to share with others and work towards breaking down that barrier that causes so many to avoid India. Despite the chaos, cows and poor air quality, it is also home to such diverse temples, forts and of course the magnificent Taj Mahal that blew me away more than words can describe. It is also the home to magical coastlines where we explored Goa, a little coastal oasis away from the pollution. As for the volunteering, staying directly next to the slums outside of Delhi was one of the most immersive and eye-opening experiences.
The school was definitely one of the more unfortunate ones I saw in my six months but that did not take away from the pure joy and the contagious laughs that emerged from that one classroom. A mix of ages provided us with a chaotic teaching day, but nothing a water balloon fight couldn’t solve! At the medical project, we went to a wide range of slums around the area, providing basic medical care that they otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive. From learning how to take blood pressure, to understanding the blood sugar levels, it was so special to be able to use what basic Hindi we had learnt to communicate and engage with the locals about their health and wellbeing. I saw more than I ever thought I would see and ate things I never thought I’d eat but I absolutely loved the thrill and excitement of India and all it had to offer.
Nepal was the final stop on my trip and its buzzing capital had the most surreal contrast in landscape as the Himalayas could be seen from everywhere you looked. I was lucky enough to volunteer at a Buddhist monastery just outside of Kathmandu where the monks greeted us with the kindest smiles and such a warm welcome. I was surprised at how much influence the monasteries had from Tibet, and learnt so much about their way of living and religious views. Participating in the 6am morning prayer and 5pm evening prayer was such a highlight as it gave me the most unique insight into their daily routine and an opportunity to really disconnect from the outside world. During our lessons, the monks had such open mindsets, and really paid attention and always wanted to try their best. The stark contrast of the monastery to anything I had ever experienced was what made it so enjoyable and impressive.
Although rice twice a day did start to take a toll on my appetite, it was all part of the experience and made it that much more rewarding coming back to the comforts of home. It really goes to show that you grow the most when you are outside your comfort zone, and that only inspires me to push myself even more. The kindness that the principle monk showed us at the monastery was beautiful. He not only cooked for us late at night when we were lesson planning, but explained Buddhism to us in such great depth and with such an open heart. My time in Nepal was topped off with getting to hike in the Himalayas, an absolute dream come true. The locals always wanted to help, teach us about their country and culture and I hope that is something that can become more common in every corner of the world.
Overall, the past six months have been the best thing I could have ever done. I have learnt more about myself, the world around me and the people I share this planet with and that has been a gift in itself. The lessons I have learnt, skills I have gained and smiles I have shared are truly irreplaceable and it is so extraordinary how we are each a culmination of the people we surround ourselves with and meet along the way. Somehow, my bucket list is even longer that it was before my travels, a result of uncovering how much more there is to explore on our planet Earth.
I appreciate all that the Bulkeley-Evans HMC Scholarship Fund has allowed me to achieve and it would not be possible without the generosity of yourselves. Thank you for allowing this to happen for young people like myself and continuing to provide endless opportunities. I hope you can access the images I have attached below to see a few of my favourite moments! I also look forward to getting in touch with my school to deliver a talk about my travels and the benefit of this scholarship.
