Global Engagement Office
Cheney International Center
1000 E University Ave
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 1-307-766-3677
Fax: 1-307-766-3259
Email: global@uwyo.edu
Published October 06, 2023
By Greg Ronco
Every year, faculty, students, and alumni from UWyo travel around the world, engaging with communities and making new friends. Of particular importance is thinking about how we approach being a good global citizen as we travel. What exactly is the wider world and how do we take an active role in it?
Here are five perspectives from the winners of the 2022 Global Engagement Photo Contest:
End of the Week Celebration by Shane Epping
Professor Epping participated in Be the Change Volunteers, a development aid nonprofit organization dedicated to creating better education opportunities worldwide, with two UW students. He wrote:
In a remote area of Perú known as Chino, only accessible by boat on the Amazon River, we documented and helped build an elementary school building. Three of the four goals for global engagement at UW are: driving excellence, inspiring students, and impacting communities. Our work in Perú fulfilled all of these.
The trip was rewarding because we facilitated education in an area of the world that lacks a lot of the resources we have in the United States. Education changes lives and I think we all were allowed an opportunity to see vast living differences in the world. We had a lot of fun, but the trip was also demanding. Being in the jungle meant no electricity beyond solar power, no hot water, no air conditioning, a plethora of bug bites, and communal bathrooms. It also might be the case that a tarantula, bat, or heron tried to enter our cabins. While working, the temperatures were hot and humid. It also rained on us.
Being uncomfortable and a little sleep deprived were realities we all faced. The UW students and I learned that we could do hard things. But more importantly, we learned that there are people in the world who can benefit from sustained action by varying members of a community who believe in education and its necessity to advance one's well-being.
-Shane Epping
Flora of Ecuador by Kaytlyn Vander Meer
This photo was taken around the perimeter of La Laguna de Cuicocha. In the native language Kichwa, the name of this lake signifies the "Lake of the Princess" or "Lake of the Goddesses," but literally means the "Lake of Guinea Pigs." This lake is located inside the crater of an active volcano in Ecuador. Within the lake, there are three islands on which native guinea pigs live. These guinea pigs are just one example of the species living on these islands and the many more living around Ecuador. From the flora which you see in the photo to the fauna such as the guinea pigs on the Cuicocha islands, Ecuador is an extremely biodiverse country. In fact, it is one of the 17 most biodiverse countries in the world.
The incredible nature found in Ecuador wasn't the only memorable experience I had while there. From the bustling market of Otavalo to the rich devotion of the people of Yunguilla to their community, my time in Ecuador has shown me a lot about what life can look like, and just how different that can be from what I have known. Before traveling abroad and exploring this beautiful country, I viewed life through black and white lenses. Now I know more than ever that life isn't a series of checklists and successes and failures. Instead, life is a delightful journey full of adventures that can be lived in a myriad of excitingly colorful ways.
Since returning from my study abroad experience, life has looked very different for me. I have been much more open to new experiences with and have approached change with more flexibility and open mindedness. To me, the culture I found in Ecuador has changed my outlook forever.
-Kaytlyn Vander Meer
The Wrong Bed and Breakfast by Aram Maljanian
“When will you arrive at our bed and breakfast?”
The question from the voice on the phone took me by surprise because I had already showered and eaten dinner at the bed and breakfast, and was sitting on the balcony sipping coffee and nibbling on apricots.
I later described the scene this way in my journal: “The lush, green mountains filled your gaze wherever it wandered. The clear, still sky held just the right amount of clouds, blue yet still interesting to look at. Stone buildings with red roofs linked the picture of faraway hills with the verdant garden below.” I promised to find out where I stood, literally and figuratively, and report back to the mystery caller.
What had happened was that my phone had led me to a Gevorgyans’ Bed and Breakfast which was down the street from a different Gevorgyans’ Bed and Breakfast that I had booked. Despite my unexpected arrival, the family welcomed me into their home and took care of me. I learned over dinner and drinks with the owner that the house I was in was no longer operating as a bed and breakfast ever since the mother had passed away due to cancer.
Without any advertisements, the flow of tourists from all over the world had stopped short. That is, until I wandered in. Was it an accident or meant to be? This was yet another lavish display of hospitality I experienced while visiting Armenia, and an ordinary evening turned extraordinary.
-Aram Maljanian
Dr. Kirshner is an alumna of the University of Wyoming, and studied abroad in 1987.
She went on to co-found the Belize Education Project and came back to UW in September to speak about building solidarity among global educators.
Of this photo, she wrote, "The young engineer is building a bridge in her classroom at Hills of Promise Primary School in Belize, Central America. The class is engaged in a contest to see which bridge can hold the most pennies spanning across 10 centimeters. She is taking advantage of her one opportunity to revise her design."
-Jean Kirshner
[Jean Kirshner is also a professor at the School of Teacher Education at the University of Northern Colorado.]
Building Bridges by Jean Kirshner
Boudhanath Stupa by Muskan Sharma Kuinkel
This picture is of Boudhanath Stupa, one of the National Heritages and the largest stupa of my country, Nepal.
Nepal is a country rich in diversity. One can find more than 100 different categories of castes and cultures in our country. Being a secular state, people following different religions live in the country, with Buddhism being one of them.
The Light of Asia, Gautam Buddha was born in Nepal. People following Buddha visit this stupa and worship Lord Buddha there. This place has a great religious significance to Nepalese. Besides the religious point, this place has great surroundings. It is one of Nepal's major tourist attractions which is why the entire stupa is surrounded by a lots of cafés, restaurants, and shops.
This place is very close to my house. So, during the evening time, I most often visit this place to sit around and chill. It gives me mental peace. Sometimes we have a gathering with our friends in the rooftop restaurants, which lets us see the entire view of the stupa. The Buddhist music, the vibe around the place, and quality time with my friends just makes my day.
-Muskan Sharma Kuinkel
Global Engagement Office
Cheney International Center
1000 E University Ave
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: 1-307-766-3677
Fax: 1-307-766-3259
Email: global@uwyo.edu