Midterm:

After writing my midterm, I realized what I have learned this semester. Rather than retype it to be interesting/blog worthy, I decided to copy and paste it. Sorry for it not being the most interesting thing you will ever read, but it's what is on my heart right now.

If one asked about the characteristics of a social worker, ’relational’ would be bound to come up. As a senior social work major, relationships were something that I thought I had looked at from different viewpoints. I simplified all I  learned about relationships into talking, listening, and coming along side someone However, relationships are allowed to look different. It is not always about talking or even about listening. Sometimes relationships look like presence and showing up.
    There is an intentionality about Ugandan culture and the relationships that are formed here. Upon arriving at my Ugandan home, I am asked how I am in at least three different ways by everyone in the family. If one looks at the few greetings I have learned in Luganda, the intentionality is made even more clear. No one has taught me a simple “hi,” instead I was taught greet someone with “how are you?.” It is typically followed up by then asking them how their day has gone. While this occurs in the United States, we have the ability to greet and not invest in the relationship. We can say hello, not ask any questions and leave.
    There are many examples of the intentional nature of my Ugandan relationships. One of the main relationships that sticks out is my Ugandan roommate. I had gotten sick during the first month here and I was in the room sleeping. My roommate would wake me up to check that I was doing okay. She did not just ask how I was feeling only if she happened to make eye contact with me; she purposefully sought me out to ask how I was doing.
    I had an interesting conversation after that experience with my host mom about what it means to live with communal intentional relationships. Her point was why would you want to be alone when the worst is happening to you? She said, that for this reason mental health looks different in Africa because they do not let you suffer alone. Though I know mental health is bigger than not letting people be alone, it is a starting place. It reminds me of Compassion, where is says “what really counts is that in moments of pain and suffering someone stays with us (Nouwen, McNeill & Morrison 1983).” We study relationships in social work from the view point that we will not always have the answer or words to make them feel better. Through watching intensional relationships here, I  am realizing we have the start of an answer; it comes down to presence.
    Nothing has made this more clear than the time that I have spent with my host family. One Saturday, I went over to spend time with my family and learn about their catering business. I  was not helpful, if anything I  got in the way. Right before I left, my mom thanked me for my help that day. Once I expressed feelings of of being unhelpful, my mom disagreed and said that showing up was enough. My family valued the fact that I wanted to be part of the family, even though I  am not the most helpful member. I  have learned so much through the relationship with my family that I  could never have learned on my own. Growth happens through relationships, not being on my own. I  do not always learn about culture or my family by asking every question that I  have, though I  do ask a lot of questions. In contrast, I learn the most by being there and being present. My sister does not speak English, but I  have discovered that joy is a universal language. It’s a language that speaks volumes without ever saying a word; however, you need to show up to see it.
    Uganda and America are very different places and often we do not understand each other. Though despite the differences, there is a universal need to be a part of something and have people support you. Engaging makes you apart of something bigger. This has been the largest learning curve here. It is easy for me to stand back and observe. Though there is growth through observation, it will only get me so far. Being an observer will not help me build relationships and will leave my global education lacking.  The semester would be a waste if I just tried to gain as much head knowledge as I could in the short months I have left.  This semester is about being intentional with my learning and my relationships. This semester is about valuing the people who have come into my life. This semester is about being present and engage with the rich culture of Uganda.
     Though I have studied relationships for the past three and a half years, I  have room to grow. I will probably never feel comfortable waking up my roommate if she is sleeping, but I can to make the extra effort to ask her questions instead of running in the room, grabbing whatever I needed and leaving with only saying hello. Though I will probably never be an actual asset to my family when they are cooking, I can be present. I  can take steps in the right direction in growing my relationships while I  am here.  I  will also be able to carry these into my social work profession. In the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, it shares that BSW students who study abroad have substantial shifts in perspective (2012). I  am noticing this already and am excited to see how much more I  can grow as a social worker this semester.
    God designed relationships across all the cultures. He is a relational God. He strives to have a personal relationship with us. I am learning through Ugandan’s how to have a relationship that is meaningful, valuable and intentional. These traits will also translate to my relationship with my heavenly Father. This is the biggest take away of all of them. I have learned that being present is import with people and even more important with God. It’s not about knowing exactly what he is telling me to do. It’s not about praying and asking him the right questions. It’s about seeking him first and growing within his presence