When I was 20 years old, I left Canada for the South Pacific on my own, with nothing but a backpack. After a year and a half of travels including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia, I had a lot more with me than just my backpack. I had a wealth of experiences — Moments that have left a long lasting and ephemeral impact on my entire being. It left me with a sense of conviction, that whatever I did in my life, it was going to be related to tourism industry. This propelled me into my enrolling into the Destination Resort Management Co-op Diploma with Capilano University. During my time in the program, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunities to work as a Data Entry Clerk for Penticton Economic Development, a BC Ambassador in San Francisco and a Tourism Marketing Assistant for Tourism Penticton.
My most amazing experience to date, however, is working in Ta Phin, Vietnam with Capilano University and Hanoi Open University (HOU). This Community Based Tourism project supported by PATA, with training in areas such understanding the tourist, business development, selling skills, event planning and more, is focused and determined on making a better quality of life for the local people of this area. Living off the land and what little resources they have, these men and women literally reap what they sow. They are famous for their embroidered items such as scarfs, handbags, headbands and just about anything else under the sun. These items are intricate, in that they tell a story and sometimes take months to make.
I still find myself reflecting on the time in the village with a sort of nostalgia, a force that brings me back there in memory. I wonder how people who have such little, are so happy. After being in Ta Phin, I decided that I was past materialism, thinking this was the key to true happiness. If social classes don’ t exist, then is there no one to compare ourselves to. I don’t know what the answer is but what I do know is there are plenty of places in the world that need our help regardless. Often enough these places have the industry to capitalize on, they just need the resources necessary to develop their skills. Eighty percent of the world is living in poverty and they say action isn’t taken because the images they see are merely projections that don't resonate with the audience. I challenge these people, to go to Ta Phin.
This month marks a year since I have been in the village and all I can say at this point is that I want and need to go back. The project continues to move forward with the support of many people just like myself — students who want to make a difference. Between a blog, twitter and facebook page, our social media channels are definitely gaining momentum. We also have a video —I strongly encourage you to see it if you haven’t so yet. It can be found here. Its been 5 years now since I first embarked on that trip to the South Pacific — As fond as I look back on it, I can say with confidence that Ta Phin, Vietnam was a cut above.
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