Written by Scott O’Connell

As terrible as it may sound, I’m not the type of person who would call themselves a “do gooder.”  I have a very capitalistic mind set.  I worry about myself and I want to make money.  That how I am, I don’t see myself changing.  However, last summer I met a friend of a friend who had spent the last four years living in Cambodia.  He and 4 of his friends packed up 2 weeks after graduating from undergrad, moved to Cambodia, and started providing financing for small entrepreneurs in Cambodia.  I was truly fascinated by everything he told me about how providing even just $100 can allow someone to start or improve their business in a developing country.  I had a great time talking with him but honestly left feeling that what he was doing was great, was never something I could actually see myself doing.  I did leave though wanting to know more.  When I heard that Owen offered this class, it immediately sparked my interest.  I thought back to my conversation with this gentlemen and how I was so interested in everything he was telling me.  Since my knowledge of this subject is limited to what I learned that day, I thought this class would be the perfect opportunity for me to learn more.  I figured I would learn amazing things from speakers, class mates and the assigned books and articles.  Am I suddenly going to go out and move to Cambodia after I graduate?  I really don’t know, but I do know I want to build on the experiences of others and learn as much as I can.  I decided to go to graduate school to learn practical tools that could be applied towards my career but I also came with a desire to branch out and learn about things that are totally foreign to me, and that I may never have thought interested me.

I am excited for this course and am hoping to get as much from it as I can.  I’ve never been to Europe or Asia but hope that spending time with those who have or those who know way more than I do, will be a great and rewarding experience.  With a desire to learn, I also believe that my classmate will be excited to teach me and share their experiences with me.