While most students probably apply to the program motivated by the ideal of doing good for others, learning from the local community, and engaging with the culture, often, the program does not offer that possibility because it frames the students as privileged outsiders.
Continuing to push a single, inaccurate narrative about the lack of development in Africa and the exotic adventure of the Middle East leads to pity, not empathy.
When I am criticized, whether in a peer writing session or in a conversation with friends, I know that I tend to justify my actions rather than admit wrongdoing.
If we zoom out beyond our immediate bubble, we can see that we are privileged to even consider success as something beyond survival.
