It is mind-boggling that this semester is ending. I still remember filling out the application with hope and anticipation for the amazing memories, meaningful impact, and important takeaways that I would have. I almost wish it would never end – that I could work on something so wonderful every semester that challenges me and pushes me to grow. However, after talking to a few program alumni, I can tell that even after the semester officially ends, this project will continue to push me and remind me of just how much transformation one opportunity provides.
Part 1: Key Lessons
1. Being Present and the Sense of Time
We had a lot of discussions about Bolivia using Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. One of the themes that continuously reappeared was the sense of time and being truly present in the moment. In Bolivia, part of this has to do with the country’s history of conflict and uncertainty, so they are drawn to what works in the short-term rather than having a long-term orientation. However, another part of it is their acceptance and joy for living life as it is. While in theory, it seems frustrating to work behind the clock rather than racing it, it was truly alleviating. I was right in thinking that I had a lot to learn from it. In addition, it was fascinating to hear that we were not the only group to view the difference of time in this manner. Both the Puerto Rico and Trinidad groups mentioned this relaxed sense of time in their presentations and debriefs, and each of us found that living life in time rather than against time was something worthwhile.
I am used to being in this go-go-go mentality all the time with the expectation that moving quickly and getting things done is more efficient. While on this trip, I learned that this mentality is not helpful for long periods of time. You miss out on so many things when you are focused on what’s next! Not having a set-in-stone itinerary and having travel mishaps was the best opportunity and biggest challenge to my mindset. I learned to take things in and be more present in my surroundings because I was not tied down by rigidity. Starting business meetings with informal conversations and getting to know one another was also a breath of fresh air. It solidified a topic from my Organizational Behavior class in which taking time to set up foundations, learn, and build connections (giving vs taking) turns out to have a stronger, reliable impact in the future.
I even felt more peace and happiness during my time in Bolivia despite how anxious we were about refining our deliverables. Even Daniela, one of the staff originally from the United States, remarked that while her work has been similar in both countries, she has felt greater satisfaction in how less stressed her work feels with the Bolivian sense of time.
Therefore, my takeaway is that efficiency and success are not synonymous with quick-paced. True success and good work require living in the present moment.
2. Opportunities and Success
The business school is notorious for equating preparation (and over preparation) with near-guaranteed success. They host a multitude of workshops, seminars, and conferences to build skill sets while continuously updating their curriculum to ensure its relevance. However, I feel that they do not stress enough the importance of looking for and taking advantage of opportunities.
I realized this before I could comprehend the impression this opportunity – my first educational global experience – left on me. It was the major theme from each presentation in-country. Specifically, Goose, one of the sustainable entrepreneurs, mentioned how he saved up to study in America thinking that the perfect education would land him the perfect job. He thought that success came from having the “right” plan and following through like we are taught to. When his shiny degree did not get him far in Bolivia as he hoped, he was discouraged. As a result, he learned to look outward at what was happening in the world. Similarly, the two young boys who were also entrepreneurs found that experience is not the only gateway to successful ventures. They learned to ask questions, compare what ifs to what has been done, and be confident in trying new things. The founder of Nutri Jardín recognized this, too. Rather than feeling confined by gender roles and preparing for the “right path,” she looked outward to how she can use her passion for the environment to support others who had the same feelings.
All these people had a plan, all these people had some sort of preparation, all these people had talent, but what made them stand out was looking at what was going on outside and around them. They took advantage of different opportunities that were beyond them because they knew that they could only control so much. The real skills they had were critical thinking and problem-solving towards finding opportunities, and I think that is one of the most underrated skills. The world is constantly changing, and things happen to you that are out of your control, so you must be ready to move out of the details and look at the bigger picture to see what areas hold potential for you.
3. Consistency vs Constancy
Throughout the term, we dove into what it means to foster an ethical partnership and striving for respect that is fostered in both communication and value creation. This has come up in both Lipthrott’s Building an Ethical Partnership article as well as Sharpe and Dear’s Points of Discomfort article. One important distinction was made, though, after debriefing about one of our conversations with Ronald, the head of CEOLI: consistency versus constancy.
Consistency describes a repetition of behaviors whereas constancy describes being steady, unwavering, and loyal in the sense of duty. In previous years, CEOLI’s partners have been consistent for the most part in their interactions with CEOLI. Both parties meet, and the partner creates a scope and delivers to the shared understanding of what was needed. However, Ronald was heavily disappointed in their lack of being constant. Oftentimes, the big partners of CEOLI have interacted in a way that they decide how to articulate value for the non-profit without true understanding of CEOLI’s mission, story, and purpose. They lacked connection to the foundation which diminished the sense of duty they might have felt.
Ronald also felt this frustration when communication dipped after COVID. He did not hear from groups that were supposed to keep in contact with him, so he felt a little blindsided. Here again, the sense of steady duty, or constancy, was missing. This relates back to one of Meade’s conversations that the most important aspects of the partnership are before the scope and after the deliverables because it is the relationship and connection that must be strengthened.
We were so worried about the deliverables working, that we almost fell into this trap, too. These past examples of CEOLI’s interactions with its partners did not hurt us, per say, but it shifted the focus from large deliverables to a more focused, practical approach. This way we would ensure long-lasting success and create more value that was akin to what CEOLI was looking for. Ronald and his staff were very grateful for this shift. In addition, we added specific checks to establish various methods of communication that are built upon the idea of constancy. One was working with Amizade to make the results of our donation project more transparent and easier to find. We also focused our donations to the Bolivia Pitt Program Alumni network because those people, even if it has been years since their participation in the program, have that personal connection to CEOLI and will work as powerful supporters to their cause. So far, it has been a success. Lastly, our plan for future cohorts involves inviting alumni to final presentations, sharing a newsletter, and generally keeping various stakeholders engaged and up to date.
All in all, I learned that while consistency in work is pivotal, constancy to the cause is arguably more important.
Part 2: Skills Developed
1. Adaptability
As I mentioned in my last post, I am not known to be a very flexible person. Even if it may not always show, little changes to a schedule can seem much bigger to me. When preparing for the trip, I was not cognizant of just how much I would have to adapt. This is interesting to me because much of my application mentioned adaptability as a major challenge I would face.
Luckily, I found myself able to take things in stride. It was much easier to do so when my team was open-minded, and I learned from mimicking their outlook on each obstacle we faced. From the travel adventures to the open itinerary to how we had to be quick on our feet with the deliverables and presentations, I found myself not only breaking down my need for control but enjoying the process of problem-solving through different situations. My team helped, and the Bolivians did, too. The people we met were extremely receptive to changes and setbacks, and it still mesmerizes me how they do so despite their profound history. They are always going with the flow and finding ways around things, and there is a lot to learn from that mindset.
This is important to my professional life because, often, things do not go to plan. While the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, plan to fail,” you truly cannot anticipate every outcome. By being adaptable, it greatly lowers the stress of the situation and helps you see clearly how to work through it or how to let go. That is a big lesson I learned with our travels.
2. Teamwork
Another skill I developed was teamwork. I am used to a team dynamic going well and staying strong or a team that somehow finds itself in the gutter. What is new to me is finding ways to pick up the team when we head away from where we want to be and feeling confident with each other throughout the process. The article classifying teams had great advice for moving from one poor quadrant to an effective quadrant, and the major takeaway from our discussion was that these strategies must happen constantly. Team dynamics ebb and flow in its effectiveness, and it takes a few things to set them straight.
The first is knowing who you are working with, and I do not just mean work ethic. When we were in-country, our effectiveness went through the roof. After spending so much time together, understanding one another, and building connections, we truly understand the array of skills on the team and how to best support one another. Our communication was also much better.
The second is trust. This is derived from that connection, but it also means loosening the reins. I was quick to jump into the project and get started, but I moved a little too fast. I also had an idea of how things “should” work which missed components of what my team had in mind. With the sheer size of the project, I stepped back and checked in to make sure everyone was included, but it greatly helped knowing the individuals and their lives and their commitment to CEOLI.
This is important in my professional life because I will constantly be working with other people. I understand how to change the dynamics and the importance of working with people rather than simply working on a task that others are on.
Part 3: A Note for Future Groups
To the future groups who are reading this, thank you for your interest. Global experiences have a profound impact on a myriad of different aspects in your life. To say that I was blown away by the course, the project, the partner, the mission, and the experience is an understatement. CEOLI and everyone I encountered will have a fond place in my heart. With that, allow me to impart some knowledge as you get ready for your adventure, whatever it may be.
Firstly, prepare for group work challenges, but do not assume that it will be as terrible as a group you have been assigned in the past. The trick is to intervene early. Break the ice. Get to know each person – their hobbies, their lives, their majors, their goals. Understanding the team members as human beings goes a long way, and while it is less common in our fast-paced culture, it is the foundation of each task you complete.
Secondly, capitalize on your support network. The OneDrive albums are insane and fascinating to go through to understand what you are working with. Each document is a piece of the story you are working to build upon. However, what is even better than the OneDrive’s plethora of information is the people that created it. One of my favorite parts of the project is the Alumni Outreach Program. Alumni in general are fun to talk to as they have so much advice and are ecstatic to help, but they also have a lot of insight into the journey and the mission. They have a different perspective on the situation and can be a tremendous resource when you feel stuck. They even helped us refine our 10-Year Plan on top of being our target donors.
Lastly, everyone mentions language barriers on study abroad, and honestly, that was also one of my biggest concerns. Relax. I found that Bolivians were enthused with how much Spanish we learned and how much we tried to apply it. That’s the key: apply what you learn. Language is not the only thing that connects us to other people. After spending an afternoon in a university’s English class, I found that language helps us connect, but we already have so much in common. So, try to bridge the gap with what you already know, and you will find that things only open from there. Language barriers are not as terrifying as they seem.
Part 4: Concluding Thoughts
I am always at a loss for words when I am asked to describe this experience. How do you adequately articulate an experience that was hands-on, impactful to others, and transformational to yourself? I would call it an illumination. It shed light on the skills I have that I need to dust off and put into practice. It shed light on the importance of passion and connections. It shed light on professional relationships, partnerships, and teamwork. It shed light on cultural differences and using them to our advantage, but more so celebrating them and being open to different perspectives. It shed light on how every opportunity and challenge is something to take advantage of and learn from.
In conclusion, this was my first study abroad experience, and I am forever grateful for how one semester taught me many lessons and lent me to find an avenue to give back. Thank you for letting me share it with you.
Signing off (for now),
Leanne