As we are gearing up to leave for the beautiful country, Trinidad, in just one short week, I want to take time to reflect on my thoughts in recent weeks. I realize how much of a privilege it is to be able to engage in this program and work with a passionate organization such as Nature Seekers. I am equal parts grateful and excited, and to be transparent, partially nervous. Navigating a new country and culture always comes along with some challenges, but I feel well prepared by the discussions we have had in our course to date. I feel that as a team, with all of our different knowledge and backgrounds we can successfully tackle traversing this new environment.
Personally, the opportunity to work with a non-profit focused on nature, sea turtles, and sustainability in Trinidad is very unique. As someone from a landlocked state, the chance to immerse myself in the vibrant ecosystem of Trinidad and contribute to preserving its beaches and wildlife is incredible. The prospect of engaging with local communities, experiencing diverse cultures, and witnessing firsthand the impact of conservation efforts on sea turtles and their habitats is both humbling and inspiring. I will use this opportunity to develop my personal international skillset, not just within business but culturally as well. Plus, I would be lying if I said I was not just simply excited to see the sea turtles are the beginning of their nesting season.
From an academic standpoint, this opportunity presents a wealth of learning and growth potential. Trinidad is rich and diverse when it comes to their wildlife, offering a unique study of marine ecosystems, sea turtle behavior, and the interplay between community efforts and environmental conservation. Engaging in hands-on research, collaborating with this local nonprofit, and integrating our business knowledge with their conservation practices can enrich my academic understanding and provide valuable insights for future endeavors. This course has been something completely new to me academically, so I imagine there will be an opportunity to learn much more in country.
Professionally, working with a non-profit in Trinidad focused on nature, sea turtles, and sustainability adds lots of valuable professional development. Collaborating with a diverse team of experts, stakeholders, and community members enables me to hone essential skills in cross-cultural communication. Moreover, contributing to impactful conservation initiatives and driving positive change in environmental policy and practice not only enhances my professional development but also aligns with my values and aspirations. This is the first time I have worked on a consulting project, with the added challenge of working with people I had not known previously. Being throw into this type of new dynamic is both exciting and challenging in a way that fosters professional development. I have already learned so many new concepts and skills, I think by this end of this I will be a stronger student and business professional.
When it comes to potential cultural norms that could be challenging to navigate, it is impossible to be aware of every single one before landing in country. This in mind, we can prepare the best by remaining openminded and managing our expectations. Also, educating ourselves about the culture in Trinidad, as well as, how to conduct ourselves in a new environment will set us up for success in this department. I have anticipated some of the norms we may encounter and how to go about approaching them.
The first being the concept of “Trini time” and their laidback/relaxed attitude. Trinidadian culture often operates on a more relaxed schedule compared to the United States norms. This could possibly result in meetings starting late or schedules being more fluid. While this approach can be frustrating for individuals accustomed to strict punctuality, understanding and adapting to this cultural norm is crucial for successful collaboration. I believe my team and I will drop our expectations when we step off the plane and remain patient and flexible in scheduling and expectations.
Additionally, Trinidadian communication style tends to be indirect and polite, with a goal of maintaining harmony. This can sometimes lead to challenges in expressing concerns or conflicting opinions openly. It is very important to be sensitive to cultural differences in communication. Ultimately, we want to create an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing themselves openly. I believe that building strong relationships with the client is the best practice when it comes to effective communication.
Trinidad is a culturally diverse country with influences from Africa, India, Europe, and indigenous peoples. Being mindful of cultural sensitivities, such as religious practices, language preferences, and social customs, is essential for building strong relationships and avoiding misunderstandings. This might include considerations such as dietary restrictions, appropriate dress codes, and respectful language usage. We discussed with one of our partners, who lives in Trinidad, that it is disrespectful to wear camouflage anywhere on your body. It can be interpreted as impersonating military individuals, so it is best to avoid, but that is something that is not the same in America. It is impossible to know all the rules and customs, but it is important to remain professional in all settings while in country.
Finally, Trinidad is a linguistically diverse country with English as the official language and various other languages spoken, including Trinidadian Creole (Trinidadian English Creole), Hindi, and Spanish. Depending on the target audience, communication materials and outreach efforts may need to be adapted to accommodate language preferences and ensure effective communication with diverse communities. While this is something that businesses and organizations consider in more diverse cities or southern states in America, this is not as relevant in Pennsylvania. When making business recommendations, it is important to keep this fact in mind to make sure no groups are left out or forgotten.
While it is crucial to highlight the potential challenges posed when traveling to a country with a different culture, I also want to recognize some aspects that are just exciting. Such as the fact that music, dance, and other forms of artistic expression are integral to Trinidadian culture. Not only that, but they host numerous festivals and celebrations throughout the year, such as Carnival. It is amazing for the community to come to together over these events and take time to just have carefree fun. The only way this can be a potential issue for us in country would be the impact these events could have on work and business schedules. Although, we should not have any of these conflicts during the time we are there.
When it comes to personal learning I will gain from this global service-learning experience, the first thing that comes to mind is self-reflection. Reflecting on this unique experience through blog posts and discussions facilitates personal growth and self-discovery. Processing cultural encounters, confronting biases, and examining my beliefs will prompt introspection and make me more culturally aware. Working through the bit of discomfort that comes with challenging oneself will expand my knowledge and strengthen my empathy. Not only that, but also immersing mysel in Trinidadian culture provides a unique opportunity to develop cross-cultural competence. By engaging with the local community and taking the time and effort to understand their customs, traditions, and perspectives on environmental conservation, I will be benefiting my personal development. This experience encourages open-mindedness and cultivates adaptability within collaboration.
One of the articles we read for the course that stuck out to me is, “Points of Discomfort: Reflections on Power and Partnerships in International Service-Learning” by Erin K. Sharpe and Samantha Dear. It was a reflection from a group of Canadian student’s service learning in Cuba, more specifically discussing what parts went wrong. It touches on the concept of a “tourist gaze” and how that can affect the way we interact with the community we are visiting. It made me think about how I may have let that influence my attitude when traveling to places in the past. We as a group need to be aware of the complex power dynamics, misconceptions, and cultural exchanges that exist within the tourist gaze. The article also finishes its reflection with the conclusion that “solidarity” is the way their service-learning partnership should work. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines solidarity as “unity (as of a group or class) that produces or is based on community of interests, objectives, and standards.” That is the best way to structure the work that we do with Nature Seekers. We are not “helping” the organization, but instead we are working in collaboration with aligned interests to achieve the same goals for the community (and turtles) in Trinidad.
Another class discussion that was very impactful, especially in the business consulting field of work, was with Meade Johnson, a professor in CBA. She gave us a lot of valuable information and guidance for navigating and fostering a productive client relationship. We discussed overall best practices, the right questions to ask, and answers to questions when you do not know the answer. Having no prior consulting experience, this was extremely beneficial not only for this specific project, but to take with me for future endeavors.
Overall, I am beyond excited for this trip and opportunity for development! As I mentioned before I recognize how much of a privilege it is to be able to participate and to be working with Nature Seekers. I can’t wait debrief the trip when we get back, that blog post will probably be more interesting.