Final Reflection - Billy Halaby

I never expected to have the experience that I did when I signed up for Geological Perspectives at the end of the fall semester. After spending my first day in Panama I realized I would not come back to the United States as the same person that left. While volunteering at Nutrehogar I learned first hand the effects that attention can have on a child. I came in with the idea that spending two days with a baby would have relatively no effect on the child. By the end of my second day I watched a baby who was quiet and unresponsive turn into a real laughing child. Imagine if this baby was given the same amount of attention every day...the results would be astounding. Although Nutrehogar did give me a greater grasp on that I felt that my time was much better spent at Casa Esperanza. There I met a boy named Luis...in retrospect, I probably should have asked him his last name since there were several Luis'. Luis and I spent both days talking and playing and there I saw the effects good guidance can have on a developing child. I taught Luis some of the cardinal rules; always throw your stuff in the garbage and ladies are first are a few examples. Luis questioned me on what kinds of things we had in the United States and whether or not I could buy some of them for him. I explained to him that while I probably good he probably wouldn't appreciate them as much as if he earned them himself. I explained that when he got older he should find a job in a department store and buy his own things. I feel like Luis appreciated what I had to say and hopefully he does what I advised.
Comparing the two volunteer experiences is nearly impossible. If I could only choose one it would hands down be Casa Esperanza. There we were given the chance to influence a developing persons mind and teach them about our own culture and language. At Nutrehogar we spent time with children who won't remember us once they leave the organization. While it is important that these children receive attention I feel that we had a much greater impact on the children at Casa Esperanza.
Outside of the volunteer experience we visited several hospitals , the Smithsonian, El Valle, the Embera, the US embassy, and a few other places. The hopsital visits were able to grant me some insight into a system I didn't completely understand and I feel that although they may have been interesting to some medical students there overall value was lost on me. The Smithsonian, El Valle, and visiting the Embera were all extremely fun and informative experiences. My only qualm with any of these was that the Embera tribe felt a little bit fake. While they danced in front of us and tried to sell us their handmade goods I couldn't help but feel like I was being suckered. Visiting the US Embassy was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. There I was able to meet the US Ambassador to Panama Barbara Stephenson and several of her colleagues. The trip to the embassy was very informative and my only regret is not being able to speak with the ambassador longer.