This past July, I remember the feeling of nerves and anxiety which sat uncomfortably in my stomach as I watched the ground beneath me disappear into smaller and smaller frames outside the airplane window. With a small duffel packed to the very brim with clothes, towels, bug spray and a headlamp, I sat nervously wondering what would await me in Thailand. I was slightly relieved when the sky opened up, the plane ascended into the clouds, the small houses that looked like tiny puzzle pieces faded out of view and all that filled up the window was the vast sky. It looked as if it was an oil pastel painting and if I touched it with my hand I would smudge the paint.
On my plane ride from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai, all I could think of was how nervous I was, and how I almost even regretted stepping out on this adventure by myself. Looking back months later, I can confirm on the contrary that this trip was the best experience of my life… This summer I traveled with the program GIVE, to participate in volunteer work and environmentally positive activities for two weeks in Thailand, with other students and individuals who share my love and excitement for travel. Although I had never traveled alone, or left the country by myself, I knew I wanted to travel this summer, and the program GIVE seemed like such a beautiful and purposeful way to do it.
After Thailand, I felt changed in terms of the way I viewed the world, specifically America. The choices we make in America regarding fast fashion, impulsive shopping, and obsessing over fleeting trends is so normalized and worst of all enjoyable. Small lifestyle choices that seemingly have no direct impact or negative influence, were so overlooked in my life, but after traveling and stepping outside of this ideal American narrative, I stepped into a new way of living. Living simply: enjoying the little things. Being mindful of my first breath in the morning and setting an intention before I start my day. Finding joy in small moments, short walks and crumpled leaves that crowd the sidewalk. Putting a smaller helping of food onto my plate, instead of piling it on and then throwing out half of it because I got full. Picking up a piece of litter on a busy street. Turning off lights when I’m not in the room.
In Thailand I had the exciting opportunity to learn how to cook pad thai, meet with and connect with the most precious loving children in hill tribe villages, learn about Thai culture, family farms and of course drank more Thai tea than I could even count. Yet my favorite takeaway of all, was learning how to be a better global citizen.
Being a global citizen is something we can all strive to be, whether we are traveling or not. It’s someone who knows the importance of taking care of one another and our earth, and considering the weight of our actions as humans. Here are some ways I practiced the art of being a global citizen in Thailand, and strategies I will keep in mind for studying abroad, visiting new places, and even just traveling within America:
- Shopping locally
While traveling with GIVE, our guides made a conscious effort to encourage us to shop locally, and avoid chain restaurants at all costs. We never set foot inside a single chain restaurant, mall or store. Local shops and small businesses really benefit from tourists, which is important to keep in mind when traveling. When you invest in food and drinks, you have the option to also invest in a story, a connection, or even family owned business. Being mindful about each transaction is something I consciously thought about each day I shopped and ate my favorite Thai meals like Khao Soi and banana roti.
- Carbon footprint – choosing to bike, carpool or walk
When we travel to new places, we are not just experiencing a fun getaway, but we are making an impact on the land we are vacationing on. Traveling is a privilege and a beautiful opportunity to meet new people, create connections and experience culture. Yet what many fail to realize, is that the choices we make while we are away, last longer than our time spent there. The things we buy, the waste we accumulate, the gas we use… It all leaves an impact. It’s important to be mindful of our actions in new places, instead of simply appropriating the place as a site of a vacation. Even if it’s something small like walking to a cafe instead of driving, or using a reusable coffee cup instead of plastic at a local cafe, or being mindful of how much laundry or water you are using.
- Making an attempt to learn something new about culture, lifestyle, connections
When walking into cafes, or small food shops in Thailand, I ordered my food in English, assuming I would be understood. English is thought to be the worldly language, and assuming everyone is supposed to know it, was something I had done subconsciously at first and also a privilege. Although it’s true, workers sometimes learn English to accommodate tourists, we all tried to make an effort during our time in Thailand, to learn the language, which really made a difference.
- The stories you tell after you’ve left
Something that was brought to my attention as we were preparing to come back to the states, was what will you tell your family and friends about your trip? I knew I would be swarmed with questions from family members like “Is Thailand really like White Lotus?” and “Did you ride any elephants?” But what mattered most is the way I spoke of it, and the stories I chose to tell. What did I learn? What left a mark on my heart? What do I want other people to know? The stories we tell and the things we focus on describing, helps others have a better understanding of the world. Don’t be afraid to dismantle misconceptions, or unravel false stereotypes about certain places or people. When I came back from Thailand, I focused on sharing how much I loved living simply, and specifically how Thai culture LOVES sharing food. If I was hungry, the locals we met and traveled with would offer up mounds of mango sticky rice, or even insist I finish their plate.
I would argue that being alive and having the opportunity to experience this world is a gift. We should give ourselves permission to experience ourselves in new ways, experiment with new lifestyles, by stepping away from what American society may expect from us, and honor other people’s lived experiences while doing so.
So what does it mean to be a global citizen? It means to fully immerse yourself in culture, stories and connections. To listen to stories with an open heart, and try to step outside of your judgments and opinions for once. It means instead of asking what we can get out of the world, asking ourselves what we can give to it. It means to try new things and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. It means to be mindful of each action you take when you travel. It means to educate your friends and family. It means to love the earth in a way that excites and encourages others to do the same. No matter what we do or where we go, we can carry these values with us, and allow them to influence our interactions with the people we meet and the world around us. That’s what it means to be a global citizen.
Autumn Valdes is a junior Journalism and Religious Studies double major who believes that there is something important to be learned in every corner of the world. She can be reached at avaldes@ithaca.edu