Sustainability and Human Rights
The beauty of the place, the friendliness of the people, and the sounds of samba ranting through the air continue to enchant me four months later. I cannot help but feel as though some part of me remained in Brazil. Sometimes, I even feel as though I am in a dream as I reflect on the time I spent there. It was unforgettable and a very educational experience that I will treasure for a very long time. I have to admit, I did not expect this study abroad experience to be very different than the one I am already on here at Arizona State University but the trip to Brazil was exceptional, exciting and unforgettable. Nothing like I have ever witnessed before. It was characteristic of great social and cultural aspects unlike any of my previous travels, but also provided a rare learning opportunity. It was mind boggling trying to assess the intricate issues that Brazil continues to grapple with, some of them being a scarcity of water, social inequality, and the achievement of the basic human rights. Tackling such issues made me feel as though I was living in another fantastical world. And a world that was different from the one in which I took many things available in my country for granted. Dealing with issues as an undergraduate student from a different part of the world proved challenging but highly motivational for me to do something about the situation.
The course I studied in Brazil was insightful and educational as I got to note the difference I can make as an individual in leading by example and living a sustainable life. Being a sustainability student, I decided always to endeavor to incorporate sustainability in all aspects of my life and to be a responsible consumer. Seeing the different small river communities we visited in the Amazonia really inspired me to do this. Before the trip, I felt that I did not take sustainability with the seriousness it deserves. However, since taking the trip, I feel that I have put additional effort, and I am more willing to go even to greater heights in my sustainability endeavors. Seeing people that do not have the resources we have here and still thrive and conquer, facing challenges and sustainability issues everyday. Each day, I now strive to do more and think of innovative ways to remain sustainable and a responsible consumer. It is sometimes challenging to realize that, but I find it rewarding eventually. I am hoping to have an even greater impact in future after I complete my studies.
In Brazil, we saw the effects that global trade and big business has had on the environmental and social systems. To a great extent, the course primarily delved into the adverse impacts of these huge enterprises. It got me thinking about my hometown and how the system works there, I feel like I now have the full potential to become a sustainability leader back home when I graduate. Also, it profoundly explored the unsustainable lifestyles adopted by a majority of the individuals in the developed countries. I am now more critical regarding my sustainability efforts, those of others, and even that of businesses.
My experience in Brazil is simply unforgettable, and I would look forward to visiting there in the future. The trip was not only inspirational to my studies but also has transformed the way I perceive situations. I got acquainted with several approaches to sustainability and felt that I have grown a lot as a person. I believe my sustainability efforts will go a long way in improving businesses and their supply chains in the future. Also, I would like to mention the people that made the trip unforgettable and the true friends I gained.