Evangeline Veletto Dr. Brinberg MKTG 3954 7 December 2023 This I Believe Final Essay During this semester abroad, I feel as though I have learned just what a big world we live in and how there are so many different people in it. This seems to be something that was hard for me to grasp prior to coming abroad because I very much live in a small area of New Jersey that truly lacks diversity in all its meaning. This semester has taught me overall to be more understating and patient of these people I met while I was abroad. Whether that was my fellow students on this trip, the locals of Lugano, the pick pocketers throughout Europe, the very persistent street vendors in every major city I traveled to or the students I taught in Rilima and the people I met during our four weeks in Rwanda; I strived to find the good in every person I met and find some understanding to explain their actions and circumstances. For instance, while I typically conclude pick pocketing to be simply stealing as well as nothing short of robbery and look down upon it, while being abroad I have tried to still find compassion and some sort of understanding for the people that resort to this. For example, maybe they are refuges from their home countries and this is the only way that can provide for their families and keep food on the table. I do not think this way of thinking makes me naïve because I was very wary of being pick pocked in every city we traveled to and made sure to be very aware of my surroundings, but I do think finding some sort of compassion and understanding within me is much more valuable simply than judging a book by its cover. I am very fortunate for the life I live and the upbringing I have been afforded and now more than ever I am vey conscious of how others were not able to have the same. I have realized this not only during my time in Rwanda but also during my time in Europe prior to traveling to Rwanda. Even amongst the group of fellow VT students that I have been living and traveling with for the past three months it could be easy to write some off but I am actively trying to find the good in everyone and realize that not everyone has had the same life experiences as I, so while they may not react in ways that I would or in ways that I would deem appropriate, I still will respect and appreciate their decisions. I hope to take back with me to the U.S. as well as for the rest of my life, the attitude or belief of really being not quick to judge anyone; to find compassion and understanding and patience for those that I meet despite every reason I may have not to. In your essay, you should reflect on their experience abroad. Please use the "This I Believe" format to reflect on what you now believe.
