Just as many other students from UTEP, I have also lived and studied in Mexico and experienced the bicultural contrast that these two countries have to offer.
My daily experiences have had a direct impact on the way I perceive the world. But it really all started shortly after attending Coronado High School. It was my government courses that awakened my desire to study about the world and the politics that govern it.
My focus on international politics has led to my growing interest in cultures around the world. It is for that reason that I have immersed myself in a totally different environment. It is time to encounter a different predominant religion, culture and language, to make new discoveries each day.
During the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing my experiences with you. I will be studying abroad in Jordan, a Middle Eastern country surrounded by the most conflicted nations in the world.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy that borders Palestine and Israel to the West, Syria to the North, Iraq to the East and Saudi Arabia to the South. Furthermore, studying the political tensions in the region and their implications for the broader world, including the Western hemisphere, are what drew me to this location.
I do not intend to study abroad for the sole purpose of social gatherings. The purpose of this study abroad program is to grow academically, professionally and, most importantly, personally. During my stay in Jordan I will be traveling to neighboring countries, conducting an independent research study, working on projects and initiatives with the United States Embassy in Jordan, understanding Middle Eastern perceptions towards the West and vice versa and I will be taking courses in international politics.
Through this journey, I hope to gain the tools necessary to promote democracy, defend human rights, reduce worldwide conflict and foster the values that we claim to have. I believe it is also essential to understand Islam’s true philosophy, eliminate false cultural perceptions that abound throughout the world and understand how the populations of the Middle East perceive our goals, ideals and values.
People often ask me: “Why Jordan? Aren’t you afraid of terrorists?” But I like to keep a quote by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie, in mind: “If we hear only a single story about a person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.”
My aim, other than the ones mentioned above, is to share my stories with you so you can formulate your own opinion. My goal is to help others so that they do not fall into ignorance, so that they crave more information and get out of the Westernized bubble.
My first stop will be Egypt. I look forward to sharing my first experiences about this journey next week.
Pedro Garcia is a junior political science major specializing in international relations. He is currently studying abroad in Amman, Jordan. He may be reached at [email protected].
