Closing Remarks
My final week commenced with a trip to the Alps! Although it cut the hike short, the stormy atmosphere created a breathtaking view of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. A fellow intern and I then enjoyed exploring the mountain town of Chamonix, which was a peaceful change of scenery from the city. Back in Geneva, I soaked in the remaining time left with my new friends by painting on the pier, jumping in the cold lake, and enjoying dinners together. We got to celebrate Swiss National Day on the first of August! Geneva's festival was dedicated to climate awareness, providing only vegetarian foods and prohibiting single-use containers. There were also awareness stands for sustainability causes and games and other activities for children made from recycled materials. To honor Geneva's Iranian community, the festival featured a "Voices from Iran" event, which included traditional music, poetry, and dancing. I watched alongside an intern who spoke Farsi, and she was eager to share pieces of her culture with me (and translate when necessary). It was moving to witness a clear purpose behind the festival and to see another culture elevated on a national holiday.
Like most experiences in life, the people I met this summer were the best parts of the journey. I have loved connecting with people who are very different from me, yet in a similar place in life; and with those who are very similar to me, despite our very different lives. One of my strongest takeaways from the summer is the power of human connection—despite language barriers, cultural divides, or conflicting experiences, there is always room to connect with people. Spending much time contemplating human rights abuses has emphasized the importance of this for me. A pillar of IBJ's model is roundtable events, where influential members of society are brought together with the vulnerable in an attempt to foster understanding. Perhaps this is the truest embodiment of "International Bridges to Justice." I have been moved by the truth and efficacy of this approach because I think most harms, both big and small, stem from a lack of the other's perspective. I hope to take this experience and continue through life with a willingness to find connection and build bridges with others wherever I go.
