An Unforgettable Experience: Interview with Asha Shaw, TEP Alumna 2014

The word that comes to mind when I think of Ms. Asha Shaw is confidence. She expresses confidence in a strong but gentle way.
– Rhondine Petrof, TEP Founder & CEO

Before comi ng to Belize I was ending my sophomore year at Michigan State University. I was preparing to apply to business school and I wanted to experience something new and exciting.

Spontaneous decision! One minute, I’m sitting at home. The next, I decided to go. I wante d to study abroad but I wanted my experience to mean something, to contribute to the betterment of something. I knew that if I was to travel abroad I wanted it to go on a program with values that were similar to my own.

My hope? To be immersed in another culture. To experience Belize in a way that was authentic. I definitely had that experience with TEP.

My most challenging aspect of my time in Belize was feeling that I hadn’t done enough or wishing that I could do more. I knew how privileged I was to be in a position where I could travel to another country. Being passionate about education, my ambition is to make sure students have the resources to receive a good education. I saw these dedicated teachers and engaged students who needed more resources (resources that I often take for granted), and I just wanted to make sure I was doing enough. After talking to my peers about my feelings, they reassured me that just by being here, and being active in listening to the needs of the community I was doing enough.

At the end of my time at Hills of Promise, a student who was fluent in Spanish but had difficulties speaking English asked me a question in English. This interaction showed me that my presence and attentiveness was enough. In the beginning, this student was not comfortable practicing her English with me. It took five days but finally she felt comfortable enough and trusted me enough to practice a language that wasn’t her native one. I felt honored and ecstatic.

I have two. First, during our last day at Hills of Promise, the teachers sang us a song that they wrote, expressing their gratitude. The song brought me to tears because for as much as I had an impact on their lives, they had an impact on mine. The dedication of the educators I connected with was incredible and genuine. Second, I went zip lining at Calico Jacks and it was definitely an unforgettable experience. The last line to get back to base was 500 feet long. It felt like I was flying over the Belizean jungle; so peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful.

Yes! I would love to come back to Belize. I think about returning often actually. This was truly an experience that I will never forget.

I am currently an AmeriCorps member serving as a College Adviser. While in Belize I was accepted to the Eli Broad College of Business Finance Program. I was so excited and sure that I would be doing financial planning. However, it’s funny how life pans out because I am now doing something that’s unrelated. My time in Belize definitely influenced my career shift to education, specifically education for Black and Brown people. I now aspire to work in higher education.

My advice is to join the TEP program because the experience will be life changing! I don’t think any other study abroad program would have provided me with the experience I had with TEP. The staff was incredible and passionate! Definitely a team you want to work with!

Asha Shaw: TEP Alumna 2014