CAS Learning Outcomes

As an International Baccalaureate student, my reflection for this event will be in terms of Learning outcomes met in the areas of creativity, action, and service (CAS).

Increased Awareness of Strengths and Areas for Growth

• Through my experience, I have gained awareness of some areas where I am strong and others where I still need to develop. My experiences taught me my abilities to communicate effectively despite language barriers and cultural differences, my ability to adapt to unusual experiences, and my curiosity to experience new things. My areas of weakness were a lack of patience, discovered during the lengthy and uncomfortable journeys in Sri Lanka due to infrastructure damage from the civil war, and poor preparation skills, discovered from a realization that my research prior to the trip did little to prepare me for the wonders I was going to see.

Engaged with Issues of Global Importance

• In both countries, there are countless examples of globally important issues that I was able to personally witness. In India, one key issue was population density and poverty, with Delhi being a prime example of how this results in begging, chaotic traffic, poor living conditions, and residential crowding within and around the city. Another issue related to India is water supply and purity. Even in hotels, we were still unable to drink the water. We also saw the issue of water in Sri Lanka, where the dry season caused many of the river banks to recede or dry up entirely. An issue I experienced in Sri Lanka was the effect of warfare. Throughout the country, the effects of the civil war were present with a lack of infrastructure and in the animal population with many elephants orphaned due to being disturbed during the war. These issues of water, warfare, and population density/poverty are very applicable globally, and my first hand experience of this helped to open my eyes to the effect of these issues.

Consideration of Ethical Implications

• Throughout both countries, the issue of beggars was a constant ethical issue that weighed heavily on me. One option was to give to the countless beggars who stood alongside the road (many of whom were children) and feel that hopefully my money would be used to benefit their lives. The other option was to not give, due to the consideration that the money may end up in the hands of a ringleader who would use the money for drugs or to support gangs and the quite real possibility that I was contributing to a continuous cycle of begging preventing these people from having the initiative to further themselves through education or work. In the end, I decided not to give. I'm still not sure what the correct answer really is. 

What I Have Gained

Beyond being just another trip, my journey through India and Sri Lanka has both brought me closer to my own origins and opened my eyes to a new perspective of living. I saw the extremes of poverty, with many people selling trinkets for money alongside the roadways. I saw how people survived with very little and still were happy and jovial. At the same time, there were magnificent displays of wealth and power, such as the grand Taj Mahal and the various other elaborate Buddhist and Hindu temples and structures throughout the countries. Both nations also intrigued me with their deep respect for traditions and culture. Within each nation there were a number of well maintained World Heritage sites that show the deep and rich history of each culture. It was also notable how India and Sri Lanka had a significant British influence, with British architecture, traditions, and other cultural influence still seen there today. With a civil war only recently ending, Sri Lanka remains in disarray in some parts, however huge progress is being made to repair the infrastructure and bring back tourism as a key industry. I have gained a new understanding and respect for the culture of each of these countries through my travels.

British Army Jeep - Sri Lanka

This old army jeep formerly used to transport soldiers now transports tourists round Yala National Park to view the various animals that reside there.

Water Buffalo - Sri Lanka

One of the many animals seen wandering alongside the roads, along with cows, camels, horses, and occasionally elephants.

Tsunami Victims Plaque - Sri Lanka

On the 26th of December, 2004, a tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka and India, killing both tourists and locals. 

Highlands - Sri Lanka

Perfect for tea production, this mountainous area of Sri Lanka supplies to companies across the globe. The highlands are noticeably chillier than the coastal areas and show a largely different ecosystem.

Tea Plantation - Sri Lanka

These bags are stuffed with BOP or broken orange pekoe tea ready to be shipped to various distributors. Mackwoods Labookellie also produced tea for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee.