Since I graduated Xavier

(I would just like to remind any readers--my parents--that this is a space to put ideas down. I'm not trying to publish an academic journal here...I'm just letting you read my thoughts. Please excuse fragments, grammatical errors and things that might just be wrong). 

Since I graduated Xavier…

I have been fortunate enough to take the passions I discovered while in school and explore, work, and develop my understanding of these passions and think about how they are shaping my path.

My independent study trip as part of the Brueggeman Fellowship was my first step after graduation. What began as a look into sustainable development in Germany and how it impacted the greater European Union evolved into wanting to uncover how social momentum was building around the various sections of the EU and what this means for the future unity of the EU. Subtle changes, I know. But the situation called for it, I promise. My attention was caught in the growing migrant crisis and I knew that I could not strictly ignore it…as it was apparent that this was becoming the largest social issue the EU has had to face. Although, not wanting to abandon the environmental movement in Europe that has so inspired me I was a little torn in my time. It was clear that the environment was an issue that people were focused on, but the migrant crisis, which was just picking up speed at the time I was there, was something that the individuals I was interacting with were still trying to wrap their heads around and form opinions on how different sovereign groups should move forward. Of course, that was not the only thing that caught my attention…as I could not ignore the fact that Greece was defaulting, once again, and a European response was in the process of forming.

In hindsight, I still don’t think I could have ignored these two factors as they gave me an insight as to how individuals, communities, countries react to these large scale issues. However, I do wish I had approached it differently, but of course knowing everything that I know now…like how certain issues are resolved…I know this isn’t possible (can’t do the time travel thing yet). I do know that I am more than excited about what I learned from these conversations and having the real time news stories unfolding in front of me.

Additionally, the topics of the migrant crisis and the Greek bailout have really been, in my mind, defining moments for the history of the European Union and of course since I have left they have both grown…specifically the migrant crisis which has continued to amaze and horrify me every time I hear the news. 

My next step after my trip was to begin my year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I started my job as an English Language and Civics instructor at the end of August at Catholic Charities Atlanta and I have been continuously challenged to think critically since I’ve been here. I work primarily with students from Central and South American countries, although there are many cultures and many parts of the world represented in my class. 

I have to say that I was a little apprehensive about the idea of teaching English, but I came around to it in the particular circumstance. I do not believe that I live in a country where English should be the only acceptable language; however, I would be absolutely crazy to see how teaching English to people who are establishing lives here can greatly benefit from learning English…universities don’t publish material for parents in other languages, doctors/lawyers/bankers/guidance counselors/cashiers/professors often speak limited to no other languages…unless they are specifically sought out. I cannot be blind to this reality while I wish that everyone who moves here, whether of their free will or through less desirable circumstances, had the ability to sustain their cultural wants and needs. I’m torn. I’m having a hard time deciding what I actually believe on the topic of teaching English, but I know that I feel uneasy, regardless. 

As I understand it, too, the market for English language instructors in other countries is doing well. Everyone, apparently, wants to learn English. I wonder how imposing this is. I wonder if I was to go to another country as a volunteer and teach English and about life in America what I am taking from people. I hate that English is the language that is synonymous with success in many industries. To me there is something very fake in believing that I can enter a new culture, share my experiences and my culture and believe I am doing the world a service. I understand the contradiction here. I accept the structural problems of my country but refuse to accept it on a global level. I have a desire to change the structure on global level, but I’m just giving into it on a national level. Maybe it’s because I see how awful American’s can be to people that are different and I want to make the transition for them a little easier until the systems change, make them feel welcome and show them that they can still hold onto their culture while learning about the new one they are living in.  

I also get to learn a ton about other cultures and I absolutely love that… and the large amount of Central and South American food that I’m given in my office has more than doubled my standard of living. 

But I expect better from you world! Stop learning English to appease America, make America come to you. Your cultures are so beautiful and I hate that the English language has the ability to invade these amazing cultures because it is linked with the idea of something more desirable than what you have (what this idea is I’m not sure…maybe the American Dream, the thought of success, the hope for a better future). An American ideal as old as time, but is now being applied on a global level.

And bringing it back to my Brueggeman project…identity is changing in Europe. Europe is welcoming in unbelievable numbers of refugees from a very concentrated area. Identity is going to shift in Europe in a big way. 

A positive to everyone in the world obsessing over the English language…it is becoming a commonly understood language. How many times have you listened to the news, if you regularly listen to the news, and heard the interviewee (specifically relating to the migrant crisis, but this applies to other things as well) speak in near perfect English?! This happens an amazing amount to me. That I know longer have to rely on an interpreter because people just come to my language. Language privilege is an amazing thing to me. And I’m glad that it is helping people communicate and help people adjust easier in difficult situations (a German citizen and a Syrian refugee can communicate because both speak English), but I can’t forget how fortunate I am to have been born with English being my first language and the mind to recognize how much of a gift English is in the social structures that we have created…but I also want to change that so it is no longer the case.

I want to formally continue my education (learning is a life-long thing, guys) following this question. Understanding how social issues are able to grow in an international setting in this increasingly globalized world and how we can preserve culture. How does language shape this? How is religion going to shape this? How are we going to come together over creating more just social structures while understanding some of our most fundamental differences?

So I initially started this post in response to Dr. Buchanan asking me about a brief synopsis about what I actually ended up doing. Well, I guess I didn’t really give you a brief answer, so I’ll try again… 

My project, which was initially formed by one social issue-- the environmental movement, was shaped by the emerging crises of the EU, which unfolded right in front of me. I was able to see first-hand how issues which were happening in one country/region of the EU were being perceived by the rest of the union. I was able to talk to young professionals and scholars about how they personally were reacting to these topics.  I found a new understanding of the “globalized world” and a new appreciation of how identity can be created and shaped in this light. I learned how to create and distribute surveys and the challenges that come with it. I learned how to break out of my shell (it was a really big deal for me, okay) and talk to a variety of different types of people about a wide range of topics.