Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Sept. 3, 2003, edition 1 / Page 5
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5 CAMPUS FEA TURKS Sophomore tells story about time spent on Mexican border Borum and Amanda Beasley in the Centro. semester avoiding conver- running water. At my first MeredWi sopho more Nina Borum spoilt last somostor abroad on tho Mexican boarder witti the Borderlinks program. NINA BORUM Staff Writer Stepping out of my com fort zone, I decided to spend tiie second semester of my freshman year on the U.S./Mexican border. The pro^^ that I participated in is called Borderlinks; its main focus is to educate people on the issues of the border, which in tiun will motivate people to actively respond to the pressing issues. I encountered some serious challenges on the border. The first roadblock was the language barrier. Itook four semesters of Spanish in high school, but memorizing vocabulary words in high school did me no good in Mexico. Luckily, we had some Spanish classes in Tucson, AZ. before we left for Mexico. The language bar rier didn’t truly hit me until I had my first homestay in Nogales, Mexico. The f^- ily was so welcoming, but I had no idea what they were saying. 1 went to bed early that night to avoid conver sation. I couldn't spend my sation, so I decided to get serious with my Spanish. As I got more comfortable speaking Spanish, my fami lies got more comfortable in laughing at how I butchered their langu^e. This was discouraging at times, but I quickly got over it and began to laugh with them. Prior to the trip we were warned that the living conditions weren't luxuri ous. 1 thought to myselt "No big deal. It's not like I'm fi^m the rich side of the tracks." But no matter how poor I've been, I’ve always had a bathroom and homestay, I found myself holding my bladder to avoid the makeshift toilet outside. I ended up reliev ing myself instead in a urine filled bucket that was in someone's bedroom. Like most people, I wanted a nice warm shower daily which was seemingly impossible. I went two weeks with only two show ers! By the end of the trip I was happy to have a bucket of cold water to bathe in. Another challenge was struggling to understand the severe poverty that these people were forced to live in. Throughout the trip we, liatened to speakers and participated in discussions, and skits to try to explain this. We learned about eco nomic organizations and globalization. I am still slightly confiised and strug gling to find ways to end the poverty that I ejqwri- enced while in Mexico. I was also challenged to learn more about my gov ernment and how it impacts the people in various parts of world. I am grateful to be an American citizen. I was was not entirely unfamiliar with poor living conditions and people in need becausel once trav eled to Montego Bay for a week long mission trip. That trip did not compare to what I experienced in the Borderlinks program. This program forced me to face realities that I did not want to face. Actually, it made me live in these realities and expe rience what it feels like to have cardboard walls, dirt floors, and unsanitary water. Spending a semester in Mexico truly made me re-evaluate my Christian walk. I asked myself if I was truly doing all that Jesus commanded me. After meditating on that thought, Jesus' words came to my heart. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.. .1 needed clothes and you clothed me...I tell you the trutii, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me" (Matthew 35- 36,40). I was reminded that, as servants of Christ, Christians are not only to spread the truth of his love, but also to show it by investing time, energy, resources, and even money to the less fortunate. I encourage anyone who has a heart for the poor and wants to make a difference to participate in the Borderlinks program. It will defmitely change the way you see things forever. Not only will you be help ing to improve someone else’s life, but you will also have improved your own in the process. Borum with her homestay moni7 Attention: All Officers of Student Organizations! 2003 Officer Training Worlcshops Held September 3 thru 9 Wednesday, Sept 3 These worlcshops are designed with you in mind; therefore, 6:00-7:00 p.m. General Session, Oalc Room your presence is required. IManuais wiii be distributed at the 7:00-8:00 p.m. Officer Workshops, V\^inwright Suite General Sessions. Thursday, Sept 4 3:30-4:30 p.m. Generaid Session, Oak Room Light Refreshments will be provided between sessions. 4:30~:30 p.m. Officer Workshops, V\^inwright Suite Tuesday, Sept 9 Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and Leadership 3:30-4:30 p.m. Generaid Session, .Oak Room Development, Phone 760-8338. 4:30-:30 p.m. Officer Workshops, Wainwright Suite
Meredith College Student Newspaper
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Sept. 3, 2003, edition 1
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