Fijians!!!!! – 06/14/2010

Weellllllll, young children that are overtaking my favourite class, I am going to dedicate a blog to you…hopefully you read the Mongolian blogs. I am not going to lie, at first I hated the idea of being replaced by 30 younger people who don’t know precisely what they are doing and think they understand what they are getting themselves into. I then realized I was the exact same thing one year ago, a young and eager grade 11 preparing myself for the experience of a lifetime. I thought of myself as a somewhat proficient traveller with a solid background in global travel. It wasn’t until I tried to sleep in negative 30 degrees that I realized I have not even come close to seeing even a small portion of our vast planet. Many of you too, will experience something in Fiji that lets you know just how small you are in this universe but how BIG of an influence you can have on others. I want to share with you a quote from the letter I wrote to the random Fijian I selected… “every single one of the 30 Colts to Mongolia globals wants to be in your position more than anything else in the world right now. We are having a very hard time watching you guys replace us as we have all fallen in love with this program. You may be thinking that we shouldn’t feel this way because we’ve already had our turn, at least that’s what I thought last year. I have never wanted anything to end less than I want Global Perspectives 12 to end, and I assure you that you will feel the same as me in one year’s time. Embrace every second of Global Ed. Every second of Fiji. When you are overseas, take as many pictures as you can, open up to as many people as possible, write notes for loved ones back home to give to them when you get back, keep a journal for yourself, love every minute of it. Be safe. My young Fijian, you have much to learn, I now release you into Matheny’s world hopefully somewhat prepared.” Enjoy this class, every one of you. Appreciate the opportunity you have been given and prove to each Mongolian that you deserve to be here. Congratulations and good luck from your friend Bentley Sackett.