Traveling to a country much different from one’s home can be life changing. Recently having traveled to a small community in Costa Rica, my life has been changed. I experienced a culture unlike my everyday experience. I realized the major difference between what is needed and what is wanted. This experience challenged me to think about my own personal values and beliefs and ultimately changed my world view. Before this experience, I did not think twice about sitting down to watch netflix instead of playing outside. I did not think twice about eating whenever I was hungry. I did not think twice before texting a friend instead of going to visit them. I did not think twice about what my education system I did not think twice about the amount of …show more content…
I used to freak out if the wifi was down, but now that is what I hope for. I do not want to be someone who values material items and technology over interaction with humans and nature. The people in this community showed me the importance of Plato's saying, “The life which is unexamined is not worth living.” I feel that parts of my life have been a waste because I had not examined the world or the life I live. I never want to find myself the way I was before this trip. I do not want to go back to the way I thought before. I lied to myself before this trip because I thought I understood the lives of others and myself. But in reality I knew nothing. I was stuck in the 21st century world, with the wrong values in mind. Those that live a life of ignorance are living a life afraid. Afraid of not knowing how the other half of the world lives and afraid of suffering and pain we may see, However, in reality, we are the ones suffering. We are suffocating in our little privileged bubble, not looking at the lives of the people that are happy with what they