Gracias a Guatemala!

To start off your day, here is a picture of me hanging out with the Santa Catalina  Arch.
I'm gonna miss this lovely landmark. 

Only 120 hours left in until we depart the Land of Eternal Spring. Wow, 4 months abroad will teach you invaluable life lessons. Like always bring toilet paper with you wherever you go. Or Crocs will save you from breaking an ankle on cobblestone streets.

But in all seriousness, the culture and people of Guatemala have taught me so much about humanity and my respective place in the contemporary world (the SAU concept would be proud). I have learned that people in poverty are some the most talented, resourceful, and joyful people I have ever met. I have learned that it gets easier and easier to engage with a culture the longer you are there. I have learned that every place in the world, while scared by tragedy or atrocity, is marked by natural beauty too.

While I am ready to embrace this next chapter of my life, I am having a tough time letting go of this one. This experience was so rich and beautiful, that I know that resulting reverse culture shock will be just a little difficult.

If I could encourage every college student to study abroad, I would. It is an invaluable experience that allows for personal growth and development, stretching, bending, and breaking comfort zones, and making you all that more knowledgeable, open minded, and marketable. You cannot really put a price tag on a cross cultural experience, but ignorance can become quite expensive and keep you stuck in a cycle of poverty.

Thank you Guatemala for literally changing my life!

Hasta Luego!

'Twas the Night Before Departure

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

–Shel Silverstein

World history trivia. Maps. National Geographic. These things that may appear boring to an average child, provided endless imaginary playgrounds, adventures, and fairytales for me. A magic carpet ride through the Taj Mahal. A tea party under the Eiffel Tower. A stroll through Machu Picchu.

As high school approached these far off fictional lands became a reality. How could I get to the Great Wall of China? When could I see the pyramids of Egypt?

Soon enough I began applying for college. At this point I was sure of only two college criteria. First, I wanted to stay in Michigan. Second, I wanted to work with diverse cultures. I quickly discovered Spring Arbor University (SAU). This liberal arts university fit both of my criteria and even aligned with my spiritual beliefs. I continued to learn more about SAU and loved the Cross Cultural Studies (CCS) program. CCS is a required study abroad cultural immersion experience. So I applied to SAU and was accepted. My freshmen year at SAU I got a job at the CCS office and my passion for international education has since blossomed.

Here I am 3 years later and embarking on an adventure of a lifetime. I will be spending January – May of 2013 studying in La Antigua, Guatemala. A mere 8 hours separate me from the Land of Eternal Spring and I couldn't be more excited!

Please continue to check back for more updates, photos, and videos. I appreciate all the support and prayers from my family, friends, SAU, the CCS office, and the Gilman scholarship.

For those who worry because you love me, here is mine and Aaron’s flight schedule.

AMERICAN AIRLINES     31DEC DETROIT MI     MIAMI FL       630A    945A
AA 873               MONDAY DETROIT METRO  MIAMI INTL
G ECONOMY                   TERMINAL N
           NON SMOKING      FOOD FOR PURCHASE             NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         3:10 DURATION
                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800
                            SEATS 25F/25E/26F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED


AMERICAN AIRLINES     31DEC MIAMI FL       GUATEMALA CITY 1245P   225P
AA 983               MONDAY MIAMI INTL     LA AURORA
L ECONOMY
           NON SMOKING      FOOD FOR PURCHASE             NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         2:40 DURATION
                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800
                            SEATS 25A/25B/26A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

Buenos noches!

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)

Preface & Pleasantries

I have approximately 10 seconds to make a strong enough impression that you will continue to read my blog; I genuinely hope these next 10 seconds are worth your while. First and foremost, the basics. My full name is Katie Anne Gibson (maiden name – Ledl). I grew up in Lincoln Park, MI, a bustling suburb in the metro Detroit area. I am the daughter of two loving parents, James & Laura Ledl, who just celebrated 33 years of marriage, love, hardships, happiness, and unforgettable journeys. I am also the proud sister of 3 of the most beautiful women on earth: Olivia, Sarah, & Molly. Of course I should mention that Molly is my twin sister and we are the best of friends. Here I must also give a shout out to the Central Michigan Cheerleading squad, of whom Molly is captain, “Fire Up Chips!.”

I graduated from Lincoln Park High School in 2009 and immediately began pursuing a bachelor degree in social work at Spring Arbor University in Jackson, MI. The summer after graduating high school I met a handsome man named Aaron Gibson at the youth group we attended. Needless to say we hit it off! In 2010 we got engaged and we married June 3, 2011. He is a strong, compassionate, and visionary individual and I am delighted to experience life with him. 

Recently, in January of 2012 I traveled on a 3 week cross cultural trip to the lovely nation of Cambodia. It was my first experience in the developing world and completely fell in love with the simplicity and the Khmer people’s values. I captured the essence of Cambodia in the following excerpt from my personal journal: 

“Cambodia is a beautiful country featuring numerous opposites: peace and violence, oppression and acceptance, corruption and justice, beauty and suffering, poverty and wealth, and injustice and hope. I am constantly torn between love for the gentle Khmer people and contempt for the capitalists, corporations, and corrupt Cambodian government that continues to fail them, exploit them, and push these simple people deeper into chaos and perpetual poverty.”

The foreigners we met with were kind, courteous, and genuine. I really felt immersed and integrated into the culture. My experience in Cambodia encouraged me to seek out more international educational opportunities (hence studying abroad in Guatemala)!

In Guatemala, I hope to be be working with Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados (God’s Child Project) participating in an intensive social work internship. God’s Child Project is a holistic humanitarian and educational development organization dedicated to “breaking the chains of poverty through education and formation.” Their services include: assistance for women, education, health, nutrition, outreach, human rights, and shelter. More information on God’s Child Project can be found at http://www.godschild.org/.

I am currently completing my final year of my undergraduate social work degree. On May 11, 2013, a mere 2 days after returning home from Guatemala, both Aaron and I will graduate with generalized Bachelor of Social Work degree. In the future, I plan to specialize in macro social work particularly international or intercultural social work. I hope to be accepted to the University of Michigan, School of Social Work and begin graduate level courses Fall of 2013. Go Blue! :)

Likes: humanity, reading, world maps, exercising with my husband, Death Cab for Cutie, nature, supporting worthy causes, The Civil Wars, biking, Amnesty International, kayaking, Copeland, traveling the world to purposely learn & be immersed in other cultures, National Geographic, blankets, Sevenly, chocolate, autumn, Warby Parker, collecting copper pennies, & planning. 

Dislikes: laziness, meat, all social problems of the world, hopelessness, putrid smells, wastefulness, spiders, arrogance, & extremely loud noises. 

Have a question? Please ask me in the comment section of this blog post. Thanks for reading! :)