by Ryan Trinidad
My name is Ryan Trinidad, communications major and diversity minor at the University of Washington. As seen by the posts below, I started this blog one year ago in connection to my exploration seminar to Ghana, Africa. Simply put, the trip changed my life. It opened my mind in a way that could only be understood by the meaningful theme behind the program, “Sankofa.” Meaning: To go back to your roots, in order to move forward – a critical meaning that every person can grow from. And every individual who was included in the “Sankofa” Experience can agree that the trip did just that and more. We have all come back as changed people, who are citizens that understand the key component of trying to understand any other culture, community, or person – the understanding of our own identities and who we are as an individual in this world.
I have decided to strive even further towards my goal of understanding the true meaning of “diversity.” Over the course of this summer I will be traveling to Barbados and then voyaging back to Africa, but this time to Ethiopia. Ghana inspired an entire new vision that has no end. It has given me motivation to become a life-long learner that owns no limits or boundaries. With the goal of becoming a true global citizen, I am more than thankful to have the opportunity to not only travel again this summer, but travel twice to two countries with rich cultures and histories.
Below I have attached a video I created showcasing a few students’ thoughts about the Sankofa Experience and its major impacts, even one year later. I hope this video will prove how important and deep these kinds of trips can be, and can give you insight on how Barbados and Ethiopia will create even more meaning.
