My summer experience has shaped me in ways that I was not expecting. I knew that by immersing myself in the community, one that I haven’t had much exposure to before, I would naturally learn things about the kids, their backgrounds, and their growth. However, although I did do this, I also learned a lot through deep conversations with my director, other camp counselors, and teachers at the Economic Opportunity Council.
As a new member to the building, I spent the majority of my time assisting the more experienced counselors and workers. I used my ears far more than I spoke, and I tried to absorb as much as I could. I learned about the struggles of the black and Latinx community in my hometown and in other communities through conversations with my colleagues, and I gained a more personal understanding of the challenges in America. I had taken classes and read books about race before, but I got close to the subject this summer.
In addition, I learned more about myself and my passions. I learned that I love being with and inspiring young students. My director explained that there is a difference between work and a job in that work is something you enjoy doing whereas a job is dreadful. This summer, my work never felt like a job because I was constantly learning, about myself and the community. I learned that I love teaching from the music class that I held with the students. I also learned that I love making change for people in need, and other people do too. All it took was a few emails and phone calls, and people stood up to donate or support. Another thing that I learned is that there are different types of leadership. There are leaders who are charismatic and vocal, and there are leaders who lead by example, and there are other types too. I learned how to be a better leader from my director, and I tried to inspire the other counselors, mostly by example, to be leaders themselves.
This summer was a humbling and transformative experience, and I am grateful that I was able to immerse myself into a part of my community that is often left out of the picture.
1 Comment
It was great to hear about how you were able to connect with kids from different backgrounds than your own by listening to them firsthand and applying what you’d learned in books. I had the same challenge of communicating with a community that very different lived experiences than I did, and it helped me find new ways to connect across backgrounds and listen to others’ stories.