I have had the opportunity to travel and live far and wide, and rather than continuing to make an even longer list of the new places that I’d like to go, I’m at a stage now where I’d prefer to dive deeper into the places that I already know and love. I hope to continue to spend a lot of time in India in the coming decades, and even if I’m living back in the U.S., I will bring my curiosity and continue learning and exploring in a more familiar setting.
What are aspects of culture in the countries you've visited that would benefit American society? Why?
Many of the places that I have lived have been much more community-oriented than what I’m used to in the United States. In the U.S., it’s not uncommon to make plans with friends several weeks in advance because people’s schedules are so busy. Over the past five years or so, I have seen a lot of articles about how feelings of loneliness are on the rise in the U.S., and I can understand that people would feel isolated and disconnected if they see friends or family members just a few times a year. Living in Senegal and eating lunch with my colleagues around a shared bowl most days of the week, or staying with a friend for a few weeks after she had a baby to support her are the kinds of ways of being that I have found bring more meaning and deeper relationships into my life.
Do you think American outreach in foreign countries really helps? Why?
There is a lot of nuance to this question! I suppose that it totally depends on what the outreach looks like, and how we define helping. I am an ardent believer in cross-cultural communication, exchange and connection.
