Shifting Perspective in Unexpected Ways: What I Learned from My First WLS Program
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” — Henry Miller
“I am ready for this!” I reassured myself as I stepped off the puddle jumper from Belize City to Dangriga. The short 15-minute flight seemed much longer thanks to the unexpected turbulence coupled with my nerves of excitement. I made it. I had finally arrived to Belize on my first WLS Collaborative Leadership Program! As I gathered my bags, I recalled the fear of the unknown, a familiar feeling from past global immersive programs in high school and college. Instantly, my senses were overwhelmed. The humidity was tangible on my skin. The plane’s engines roared as they fired up to take the remaining passengers to their destination.
Just as a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness began to creep in, our veteran WLS instructor, Javier, greeted me. I felt comforted by a friendly face from our Instructor Training, and any nervous energy I was previously feeling converted to enthusiasm. I could not wait for the students to arrive!
We hopped in a taxi and headed to Maya Center Village, where Javier and I began preparing for the student’s arrival and familiarizing ourselves with the community. WLS has been working with the Maya Center Village for over six years now, and their school-to- school partnerships continue to strengthen and grow! Do not miss out on two of the fantastic blog entries that highlight their growing relationships in Belize: Awty International School and Buckingham Browne and Nichols.
Meeting the community leaders: Ernesto, Aurora, Liberato, Julio, along with the other local leaders of Maya Center was a breath of fresh air. Their life-giving spirit and dedication to their community is not something you see everyday in a fast-paced American lifestyle. Diving into this community and culture brought my work with WLS to life; we shared stories of culture, history, and life experience. Getting to learn from our country coordinator, Juan, and local leaders in Belize was a transformative experience for me, as I witnessed the positive social change they are making in their community and with our partner schools. I fulfill most of my WLS responsibilities in an office, but rarely get to experience it firsthand. However, as an instructor and facilitator on the program, I was afforded the opportunity to engage in experiential education and disconnect from home, which allowed me to reconnect to our mission and see sustainable change-making in action.
Just when I thought it could not get better, the students arrived. We met 13 middle-schoolers and the three faculty members from The Holton-Arms School and Landon School at the airport and returned to Maya Center. After a late arrival in the community, I was certain the students would be feeling jet-lagged and tired, but to my surprise, they were up at seven in the morning and ready to go! After an orientation from Ernesto and a few WLS Learning Sessions, we embarked on our first day at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic School. By lunch, students from St. Jude’s and Holton-Arms/Landon School were working together to complete the Community Project, which included painting, mixing cement, and moving concrete blocks for the new fence surrounding the school grounds. Throughout the week in the community, I began noticing student’s barriers begin to come down as they engaged in the community, collaborated with local students, and learned from local leaders.
Having traveled as a participant on programs similar to these in the past, it was easy for me to see the shifting perspective of the students as they began to deepen their bonds with the community. What I did not expect was the shifting of my own perspective as I facilitated and guided the students through an immersive experience. Having the opportunity to work with young leaders and learn from them was an unanticipated gift that reinvigorated my work and reignited my own passion and purpose.
— Maria Selde, Program Coordinator
