At the beginning of a semester, we receive a syllabus that defines the learning objectives for a particular course.
We are expected to learn these objectives and no more and no less. To learn these objectives, we study books, spend hours in a classroom, meticulously add notes to Powerpoint handouts, carefully darken a series of circles and receive the reward of our efforts in the form of the grade on our transcript.
For my class, I, too, have a set of learning objectives. Most of them relate to working with an international, non-profit organization in the public health sector, child malnutrition and dietary diversity.
Yet my accomplishment of these objectives have not been obtained by studying books, spending hours in a classroom, adding notes to handouts or darkening circles.
My books have been journal articles, my classroom has been the mountains of Honduras and the houses of the people who live there. My notes are the surveys I have completed, and my circles are the marks made in response to the answers of the survey questions.
Likewise, I have learned more than the stated objectives.
I have learned that 15 or 20 minutes could mean 30 minutes or three hours.
I have learned how to use a flush toilet without running water and to wash my clothes without a washing machine.
I have learned that M&M’s melt in your hand when the temperature is more than 30 degrees Celsius.
I have learned that cold showers are still cold even when the temperature is more tan 30 degrees Celsius.
I have learned that there is no such thing as fresh, soft, wonderfully smelling line-dried clothing.
I have learned that roosters crow at dawn, at midnight or at any hour of the day.
I have learned that red beans can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have learned that eggs can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I have learned that ants bite.
Also, I have learned that traits of kindness, hospitality and love pass socioeconomic and ethnic barriers.
I have learned that sometimes relationships are more important than riches.
I have learned that some of the best views in life are only able to be seen with a certain amount of risk, sweat and effort.
In addition, I have learned that the children of Honduras have smiles as resilient as their calloused feet which carry them over miles of rivers and roads.
But more importantly, I have learned that some of our greatest lessons are learned outside of the confines of Powerpoint presentations, outside the concrete walls of classrooms and outside of the boundaries of carefully penciled-in black circles.
Some of our greatest learning opportunities come when we use our knowledge in the form of service to others.
The reward for my efforts this semester will not only come in the form of the grade on my transcript but also in the relationships I’ve formed, the experiences I’ve shared with the people here and the opportunity to have helped others.

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