But how am I suppose to feel after that experience? Guilty for my privileged, American lifestyle? A desire to fix all of their problems? How does this relate to my future goals?\u00a0I definitely have more questions than answers about the world of the poor and its connection to me. However, these healthy feelings of curiosity or frustration help me to reflect and then to develop a broader perspective on past and current situations. As of now, one lesson I have learned is having genuine and authentic relationships. These relationships incorporate a Salvadoran “confianza” with actions of honesty, openness, and vulnerability toward family and friends. It may not be the easiest, but it is one of the most important actions for me to express in daily life and future endeavors.<\/p>\n It humbled me with immense gratitude to be in the presence of the families of Las Nubes, and to also be a witness to their incomprehensive struggles to survive. These families have generously taken me into their homes as one of their children. Before going, I was a bit nervous about how they would react toward a white, blond-haired American girl with a different culture. Yet, I was shockingly welcomed with warm hugs of friendship. Their infectious love fills me with joy and inspires me to live in ways that are life giving.<\/p>\n Also in El Salvador, I tried to practice the themes of Catholic Social Teaching, such as respecting the life and dignity of each person, participating in various communities, creating an option for the poor and vulnerable, and living in solidarity with others regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. I also tried to live out the Jesuit Tradition that is one of SCU\u2019s educational components. As Santa Clara University\u2019s 1983 Commencement speaker, Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J. as former rector at the University of Central America, where I studied in Fall 2013, stressed the need to \u201ccommunicate\u2026a consciousness that inspires.\u201d 1<\/sup> That transformational opportunity has inspired me to have an international perspective to fight for greater social benefit in our world. It also has allowed me to bear witness to testimonies of oppression, as well as stories of extraordinary joy.<\/p>\n However, shifting a bit from service learning to action research, I am extremely excited for a new kind of opportunity, that of which I know will emulate happiness for me and for others. Through Santa Clara University’s Global Social Benefit Fellowship, I am confident that it will provide me with greater awareness and knowledge of life struggles in marginalized communities of the world. In connection to my social justice passion, I have fallen in love with the Fellowship\u2019s mission that strives to give students an incredible opportunity to learn and teach social entrepreneurship skills through Jesuit values and social justice practices in a developing country. As a \u201cwoman for others\u201d in this Fellowship, I am interested in an action research that\u00a0demands affordable resources by\u00a0analyzing components on the development of social and economic operations. With the goal of lifting Filipino artisans out of poverty in the Philippines, this action research will strongly empower me to achieve my career goals of promoting sustainable development and self-sufficiency through compassionate reason.<\/p>\n Over the course of my journey with the Global Social Benefit Fellowship, I hope to make more sense of my difficult questions of injustice and different experiences as pieces of my life puzzle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Endnotes:<\/p>\n Opening Doors to Happiness Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve\u00a0always had an ignited spirit to seek a greater sense of happiness in my life. As my curious\u00a0mind\u00a0developed over time, I came to realize that I love learning from … Continue reading ![\"C4\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/crose03\/files\/2014\/04\/C4.jpg\")
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