I thought I would dedicate a post to my final thoughts.
I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the opportunity to expand my education about international cooperative organizations in the best way possible. I met the most amazing people who left me inspired. I went into this trip with minimal knowledge and am so excited to share my experiences and thoughts with as many people as possible. I would specifically like to thank Howard Brodsky and Danila Curcio for making this possible, but to also thank all that I met and took the time to sit down with me and show me the ropes. Making the decision to extend my Masters program to travel was not the easy path, but I learned more in a week and a half than I could’ve imagined from a traditional class.
Cooperatives
I am still in shock that I had never been taught about cooperatives throughout my education. After learning from everyone in Italy, Belgium, and Howard in the US, it is clear that exposure to co-ops is not where it should be. Aside from educating those who read this blog, I see myself continuing my personal education on co-ops and sharing with those around me. I believe co-ops are powerful entities that need more exposure. There are so many opportunities that need to be shared. The overall philosophy of a co-op aligns so close to my morals and passions, I absolutely see myself getting involved in the co-op industry. I highly suggest everyone consider this as a career option or business structure. I have spoken to many people about their career choices and I have never been met with the amount of passion and fulfillment that those who work within co-ops feel about their careers.
By the end of this trip I experienced clarity about my education in business, the same as a moment I experienced in my undergraduate studies in relation to medicine. I am going to attempt to explain it. To me, Cooperatives are holistic medicine as typical corporations are western medicine. During my undergraduate degree I was on the path to become a physician, but I didn’t entirely love the healthcare system I was learning so much about. It wasn’t until my third year that I learned about naturopaths and holistic medicine. Rather than typical western medicine, treating only physical symptoms with prescriptions or surgery, holistic medicine is an all-encompassing type of medicine. There is not just one goal of immediate treatment, but rather to dive deeper into all that may be causing the sickness, not just the physical symptoms. Typical business entities look to fill the needs of their consumers through a product or service. That is their main focus because that is what increases profit. Co-ops provide a product or service while also making social and sustainable change. While making a profit, they help those in need, advocate for change, work to heal the planet, and are based on people coming together to make things better. Holistic medicine, though not ideal for all, aligns much better with me than traditional medicine. Co-ops align much better with me and are much more fulfilling and impactful than working just to receive a paycheck.
Travel
Walking back to the hotel in Brussels was very sad. While the comfort of home was slightly alluring, I don’t think I could ever get tired of traveling. There is no better feeling than exploring a new city and I truly came to love doing so on my own. I was completely in charge of my own schedule and felt very in touch with myself by the end of my trip. I am no longer afraid to dine alone, feel confident in my ability to get around even with language barriers, and no longer feel too scared to travel alone.
Personally Certified Travel Tips:
- Stay aware of your surroundings
- Pack light (especially if you plan on shopping)
- Plan for things to not go as planned
- Bring emergency money for when things don’t go as planned
- Don’t be afraid to make new friends
- Get out of your hotel room
- Try new foods
- Research transportation BEFORE you arrive
- Journal everything you do. Seriously.
- Be present
- Go on a solo trip.
International Cooperative Immersed 
Leave a comment