Lauren Bellefeuille

DVM2106 - B
Professor Tiessen
January 29th 2016
7697539
Special Interest Summary #1
Eight years ago, when I was just 11 years old, I began I journey that
has to this day, changed my life forever. My parents had found out about
CISV through a friend of a friend and they thought it would be a fun and
interesting way to further my knowledge of the world or possibly just to
keep my siblings and I busy. CISV is an international organization that offers
a wide set of different educational programs for kids and teens all of the
world. When I was 11, I participated in what is a called a Village, in Dallas,
Texas. A Village is a month long program where four kids and one adult from
twelve different countries gather somewhere around the world. Throughout
this month, activities are planned by the adults. These activities consist of
stimulation games, trust games and team-building activities. By participating
in these activities I have gotten the opportunity to learn first hand what
people from different countries think and have learned about countries other
than their own. Throughout out the years, as I got older and participated in
more CISV programs the themes and content that would arise throughout the
camp would become heavier. I travelled to Germany in 2009, and
participated in a program called an interchange. This program is two years in
length. The first year you either travelled abroad or host nine kids from a
different country. This program is more exploratory based. It is an
opportunity to show others monumental aspects of Canada and our culture.
In the next years, I travelled to Germany and learned about their country.
Most recently, in 2014, I travelled to Poland for a program called a Seminar.
This program is for 18 and 19 year olds only. I found this very different then
what I have previously done with CISV. Many of the activities I created and
participated were heavier and took a greater toll on my beliefs and
understanding of the world. For example, throughout the month in Poland I
visited the Holocaust camp Auschwitz. I remember this being an activity that
has really placed perspective in my life. I realized how real historical events
and how catastrophic it was to how the world developed afterwards.
Im 19 years old, and I have travelled a total of four times to different
areas of the world. I have met hundreds of people and learn something
different from each and every one of them. Ive participated in debates about
discrimination, bullying, catastrophic events that have happened in the world
and more. Looking at things in life in a different point of view then how I have
learnt about it really has changed the way I look at the world. For example, in
high school history class, Im sure everyone has learned the history and
events behind the Holocaust. Seeing things first hand at Auschwitz

concentration camp was the ultimate lesson. My experience with this

organization is the reason I decided to study International Development.
Travelling and learning first hand about the different countries and cultures is
what started my interest in learning about the world. CISV has introduced me
to the different elements of development and how they differ between
countries. I have gained understanding of historical, political, social, religious
aspects that have influenced the development of a country. This organization
has allowed me to increase my knowledge on how different the world is and
how these differences have effected these countries. For example, the
different lifestyles in Canada and how they differ in a place such as Turkey or
Indonesia. Through CISV I was able to learn and develop my interest in
international development through others.
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