What made the ASK Balkans program so distinct was how the program offerings varied depending on how much effort each participant decided to put in. What I enjoyed about the structure of the program was how our entire group met for a semester to discuss the formulation of our ASK question before we even left Atlanta. Between each weekly meeting, we were each asked to do our own independent research into some aspect of the Balkans and then present this information on the group blog. At each meeting, we would discuss our findings and use this data to help formulate a question that our group would answer on the field in the Balkans. I really enjoyed doing the independent research. I learned about the incredible history of the region and how war has been a part of the land since prehistory. I learned about the interesting geography of the region and how the landscape has affected the way of life for the various people groups. I learned about the food, the weather, and the way of life. I enjoyed being able to look up areas that I found interesting as opposed to having prescribed research topics that I might not enjoy as much. Though most of our group meetings devolved to talking about logistics every week, we were still able to share items we researched with the group and learn from one another. Having this knowledge beforehand proved invaluable once we actually made it to the region. Whereas in other study abroad programs I have been on where you start learning about the region once you arrive there, this program helped prepare students long before.
Another part of the trip that I greatly appreciated was how a majority of the trip was student planned and student led. In Atlanta, this helped serve as a preparation tool for students who had never been abroad before. We learned how to navigate cities without even stepping a foot in them. On the ground in the Balkans, we were able to serve as leaders for the day or as leaders for a certain portion of our planned city. I was very proud to see each and everyone on the trip step up at some point and take ownership for a portion of the program. It was very clear that everyone was invested in the program, and that was one of the key elements which I feel made the trip such a success. Having us help to plan the entire trip meant that everyone felt like they were truly a part of the team. In other programs, the entire itinerary is already planned for the students, and many students check out if they are disinterested in a certain activity or region. However, this was certainly not the case for us!
Our group also added alot of value to the program. As I mentioned during our final reflection, I was very surprised when I first read the group of names of students selected to go on the program. I thought, 'what a very different, interesting group of people!' I still stand by that thought. Each of us had very different interests and brought very different personalities to the group dynamic. There were no cliques or definitive groups of friends already existing (besides Andy and Rachel and the inter-year friendships). I think this allowed us a blank canvas on which our group could begin. Many individuals in the group did not know 1+ people in the rest of the group, so this allowed for new and organic friendships to be formed during the trip.
One commonality between everyone who attended the trip was that we each put in a lot of effort to make sure the trip succeeded. I did not witness one person who gave up or lost interest in the focus of the program (which is only too common in other programs that I have participated in). Every person in the group was interested in learning more and having a better understanding of the people who we were learning about. This is the one thing that I enjoyed most about our group. I truly enjoy being around intellectual people who never want to stop learning about the world around them....
....Which leads me to my final point: the biggest thing I got out of the ASK Balkans program. The biggest thing I got out of the program was how to continuously learn about the world around you even after graduation. It is ever-so-easy to convince yourself that once you graduate from college, you are finished with your role as student and you don't need to continue learning. After so many years of learning, why not finally put those skills to use? WRONG! Graduation will never give you an excuse to stop learning. The ASK Balkans program was all about having a group of students develop their own questions and do their own research on a region and formulate their own hypotheses. We may have gotten some assistance from faculty and staff, but a large majority of this was all done by us. Looking back at the trip, I am so thankful I was able to participate. This trip showed me that I have the capacity to continue learning about the world around me everyday, all I have to do is continue ASKing questions. I think now that the trip is finished, I have finally come to understand the purpose - and I think it is a beautiful thing.
If you are a student reading this and you are considering if you should partake in an ASK program, I have but one thing for you to consider. What are your objectives? If you are seeking to take the same engineering classes in a different country, look at a study abroad program. However, if you are truly seeking to learn about a particular region, look at the ASK program. Study abroad programs are just that - you and your friends studying hard while in a foreign country; however, an ASK trip is an opportunity to truly learn abroad and be able to immerse yourself in the region.
Thanks so much to Chaffee, Angela, David, Loren, Hugh, and all of the students who were on the trip. This truly was the trip of a lifetime!!!
Frederick Grimm
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