Global Awareness, Self-Awareness, and a Career Move
Volunteer: Kaeli Feehan
Age: 23
From: Edmonton, AB Canada
Occupation: Social services associated with domestic violence
CCS Program Site: Volta Region, Ghana and New Delhi, India
Describe your overall experience.
I guess there would be two aspects of it, one would be global awareness and the other would be self awareness. From the global awareness aspect, both of my adventures (as I tend to call them) just made me realize that no matter where you are in the world, we’re all human and we’re all connected. I think that’s the most beautiful thing that I could’ve taken away. As far as self-awareness, it was an experience of total self-renewal for me. It just opened my eyes to what I needed to see for myself—to see the world, give back, and realize that I’m capable of anything.
What surprised you?
I guess how easy it was to fall in love with a country. How easy it was to fly halfway around the world to a different place and just know you found where you’re supposed to be, you found your smile in that place. I was just surprised by how welcoming everyone was, and the smiles and happiness that always surrounded us—very welcoming.
How was your experience living in the Home-Base?
It was more comfortable than I anticipated. They very much took our interests to heart and made it as comfortable as possible. The Home-Base was always a safe place, where you could speak honestly about your experiences. The staff in both of the programs was amazing, I can’t stress that enough. They are probably some of the best human beings I have ever met.
What was your favorite Cultural & Learning Activity?
I loved how in New Delhi just a couple of days after we got there, they sent us on a scavenger hunt. We were given a list of tasks—whether going to get some vegetables, or trying to get a cab—and we had to try to get back to the Home-Base by a certain time…and I thought it was brilliant. It taught us to stand on our own two feet in a country that we didn’t know very much about at that time.
What do you miss most about your program?
The people. In Ghana, the kids—I look at those pictures pretty much on a daily basis. I called them my babies. From our standards, they had absolutely nothing, but they were the happiest people in the world. Same thing in India, I miss interacting with the people. Sharing tidbits of each other’s culture and dispelling the myths associated with the Western and the Eastern worlds.
What, if anything, did you gain from the experience?
I gained insight—insight in a different culture, insight into the things that make us different as countries and tie us together as humanity. I definitely gained insight into myself and what I wanted my life to consist of. I gained a crazy travel bug because now I can’t sit still for more than six months! I’m always planning my next adventure! And, I gained lifelong friends, the people that will define this chapter of my life. I also gained a respect of cultural differences.
Why do you think other people should volunteer abroad?
I think everybody should escape their bubble at least once in their life. To live your life in somebody else’s shoes is the best medicine for any global problem. You realize even though you’re tens of millions of miles away, they’re people—they sing and dance and they have families and lives. I think that realization that we’re all connected through humanity...that could change the world.
Has the CCS experience affected your career plans in anyway?
Originally I was getting my degree in design, and my original trip to Ghana kind of changed my path. So I took psychology and now I’m in social services. I wanted to go into international development, and now I’m helping with that on a more micro basis here at home. Every single time I go for a job interview (whether it’s at a coffee shop or an international organization) and they see on my resumé that I have international volunteer experience, that’s pretty much what the interview revolves around. I’ve gotten jobs based on it. They see that I have volunteered internationally in Ghana and India; it just speaks leaps and bounds about your character. So you guys got me my job, thanks!
