If someone told me to quickly name three things that have drastically changed in my life in the past few months, I would say quick showers with no hot water pressure, a lot of walking and public transportation, and the replacement of meat for the more student-budget-friendly bread and cheese. However, this would not in anyway describe the real changes that Geneva and my ambassadorial year have brought to my life so far. In just a few months I have become a new person, not because my outlook is different, because the snowy Swiss Alps are what I see through my window every morning instead of the warm Texas sun, or because as I walk out the door it is a aurevoir that comes out of my mouth instead of the more familiar goodbye, but because a few months of complete independence and emergence into a new environment have allowed me to see that no matter how much you see, how far you travel, and how open-minded and cultured you think you are, the learning experience never ends.
On September 8th 2011 a new record was broken. I don’t think that anyone in the history of the world has ever cried so much and been so happy at the same time. The flight to Geneva was more than 8 hours long and if it weren’t because I don’t think it is possible to cry with your eyes closed I don’t think tears would have stopped rolling down my cheeks the whole way there. It wasn’t that I was leaving my family, my boyfriend, and my friends behind, that I was going to miss Texas, that I was nervous about my new adventure, that I didn’t know what to expect, or that I couldn’t believe that one of my biggest dreams was about to come true; it was all of it. It was knowing that there was no turning back. The experience I had been waiting for my whole life was about to begin. Ironically, even when I couldn’t be more ready I felt like I had no idea what I was doing.
Four months later, I still have no idea what I am doing but I am enjoying every second of it. My ambassadorial year has been nothing like I had imagined but everything I had hoped for. My life in Geneva, my experience at the Graduate Institute and my involvement in Rotary have brought to these past few months memories that I will never forget.
There are a thousand anecdotes that I could tell about my life in Geneva –the million times I got lost trying to find my way around town, the shock on people’s faces when I told them I couldn’t taste the difference between a Chardonnay and a Chablis, my never ending quest for the most beautiful view in Switzerland, the many instances I got frustrated by the Swiss bureaucratic system, my encounters with different nationalities, the time I got laughed at for calling 40 degrees weather “cold,” and how I learned the hard way that you must ALWAYS take an umbrella with you when leaving the house, take off your shoes when you walk into an apartment, and be ready to greed every person in the room with three kisses on the cheek even if you have never met them before. It is literally impossible for me to summarize in a few paragraph what my life has been in this amazing city for the past months but I can certainly say that every one of those tears of joy, fear, excitement and uncertainty that I let out on my way here were not unfounded. This experience has been as much of a challenge as an adventure and as much of a struggle as a blessing. All in all Geneva has treated me quite well. I get to take a little boat across the lake to get to old town, shower with Evian water and eat prime fondue and chocolate on demand. I live in the center of diplomacy, an amazing cultural city, home to many world organizations and a place where I feel I belong. My life is beautiful and I am blessed to be here.
One of the biggest lessons Geneva, the Graduate Institute and this experience have taught me is humbleness. Finding out that speaking at least three languages is pretty much the norm, having a mix cultural background expected, graduating in the top of your class no longer impressive, and being an expert on a single subject does not set you apart was tough. In a matter of seconds I realized that at the Institute and in this city, my skills, knowledge or background did not make me anymore special than the people around me—it was not all about me.
The General Assembly room at the United Nations in Geneva has a beautifully decorated ceiling. It simulates the waves of the ocean and upside down mountains. What makes this piece of art so impressive is the blending of colors symbolizing the many cultures in the world –a beautiful vision, each color just as stunning as the next and all of them mixing together to form a striking image for the eye to catch. This is exactly what I meant by humbleness. Knowing that you are unique but that working with others, sharing your color, and contributing to a mixture of equally special individuals is what allows you to create something really beautiful.
Learning and accepting that I am not the smartest, prettiest, most skilled, or best out of the bunch was a little harsh but realizing that by being part of this amazing bunch I can be so much more has made me feel extremely special. I don’t mind being one of a million as long as that million, as one, creates something that magical. I know that every day, together, we are making a difference.
In the Place des Nations right in front of the main entrance to the UN, stands a giant chair missing one of its legs. It is a monument against the use of land mines but to me this chair represents a lot more. I see it everyday as I make my way to the Graduate Institute, usually surrounded by activists or a manifestation of some sort. It reminds me of one of the main reason I wanted to come to this city. It reminds me that no matter how much disappointment I face or how much suffering I see, I should never stop fighting. I should never lose hope. I should never give up. Whether it is eradicating polio, ensuring everyone has access to clean water, giving children the chance of an education or simply finding a way to create smiles, the job of a humanitarian is never easy but it is always worth it. This is why an idealistic heart never dies and I will never stop dreaming.
Geneva has also taught me about beauty. I am not just talking about breathtaking views or even the vast amount of cultures I have been exposed to, but also the little and simple things we many times miss. Edelweiss is one of my favorite restaurants in Geneva. They not only serve the most delicious fondue I have ever tasted but also has the perfect chalet atmosphere that can make me smile even in the worst of days. Jerome and Matt play every night with the most unique instruments including cowbells, spoons, a saw, and a giant wooden trumpet. They bring joy with their music and remind their audiences that beauty can be create out of anything. Geneva is full of beautiful places, beautiful food, beautiful music and most importantly beautiful people.
Geneva is surely full of beautiful people and I feel so blessed to have met many of them –people from all over the world that I have grown to love and care for. Every single one of my friends is not only an expert in his/her field but they are all also experts in their culture. I don’t get the news from the paper anymore but from having lunch with classmates. I don’t learn about international events by readings books but through the words of people that lived them. I learn more global facts waiting at a tram stop than through hours of web surfing. You could take a snap shot of any moment of my life in the past months and capture at least a handful of different nationalities. In Geneva, I feel like I am constantly walking with a mini United Nations crew and the best part about it is that I get to contribute to it with my own little spark of diversity.
Since the moment Rotary crossed my path I knew my life would change because I could finally put a name to my passions and ideals, the “Rotary message.” What I didn’t know was that no matter where I went from that moment on Rotary would be with me with 2 million others sharing my dreams. Tommie Buscemi and Ian Hill are two beautiful people that Rotary blessed me with. Tommie and I share a passion for the youth and she inspires me to inspire. Ian welcomed me with open arms and reminds me that “no matter how small each drop of water is, that contribution is what keeps the glass always half-full.” My counselors believe in me and that is why I will always work to make them proud. Without even knowing it, they have impacted me in the most special way and every single one of my achievements has and will forever have a little piece of them.
Rotaract Geneve is another big part of my life in Switzerland. It reminds me of my Rotaract Club back home, full of diversity yet so united. The spirit of this “moving city” is definitely represented by its members, many of whom come from European countries but also exchange students from El Salvador and Turkey. At most meetings we are graced with the presence of guests from other Rotaract clubs who come to share with us their projects. A representative from Rotaract Tunis proposed one that will provide computers to low-income communities in his country. I am honored to say that I will be participating in the project as a liaison between the two clubs. In March I will also be traveling to Moscow to attend the annual EUCO, the European Rotaract conference with my club. I am excited to meet many more motivated young Rotaractors and share my experiences. Even though the cultural differences between my Swiss and American Rotaract Clubs are definitely seen –no barbeques or picnics with water balloons but instead fancy fondue dinners and visits to the opera—volunteering at the children’s hospital in Geneva or sorting medical supplies in the States all carry the same message of community and service above self.
The toughest part about this experience has definitely been leaving my family, boyfriend, and friends behind. This amazing adventure is something I wish I could live with all of them. Holidays and special moments are full of nostalgic sentiments but at the same time have allowed me to open up to new people and build a family away from home. Stepping out of my comfort zone has not been easy but knowing that I am not alone I have learned to appreciate what I have back home while embracing what I have here. Even though I don’t have everything and everyone that I love at the reach of my fingers, I am able to share every moment of this experience with them because I remember them every second and carry everything they have taught me, their advice and their love everywhere I go. I am happy to have so many people and so many things to miss back home and I am glad that each day I spend in Geneva contributes to the home away from home I will surely one day miss.
My ambassadorial year is off to a great start. The challenges have humbled me down to realize how much I still have to learn but at the same time showed me I can become part of something much greater. Just when you think you have figured it all out, a new chapter of your life shows you that it is only the beginning. The world will never seize to amaze me and that is a beautiful thing.
Thank you Rotary for the amazing ride so far. I can’t wait to continue learning, teaching, and sharing. Reaching within to embrace humanity.
