My Self Assessment

One of the hardest parts about growing up in a small town, going to a small college, and living in the
United States is the bubble I am in.  I believe the best way to understand others is by understanding their
background and where they come from. Every person has an identity that is grown and shaped from
everything they have experienced.  I did not want to only know my personal background and experiences.
I wanted to understand what the world has to offer because this world is so grand. I am an avid traveler,
but I wanted to experience something even more personal.  

This summer, I went to Easter Island, Chile to deepen my understanding of the legends and religions
surrounding the ancient architecture on the island.  Of course, Easter Island is filled with myths and
plenty of unanswered questions. However, the indigenous people on the island have their own records
still to this day.  I took this trip for a couple of reasons. First, I have a personal interest in the people
and the culture of the island.

Also, as I study both Spanish and Engineering at W&J, this was the perfect trip to add to my resume.  
The language of the island is almost entirely Spanish. There are a few tour guides that speak English,
and Rapa Nui is spoken by the native people on the island.  I just completed my study abroad program
in Costa Rica shortly before I left for my Magellan Project, so I was further integrated into a different
Spanish speaking culture.  Most of the architecture on the island is still unexplained by many engineers
and archaeologists. The giant Moai were found in the 1700s and have continued to be unearthed
throughout the last century.  It is unclear how many Moai exist on the island, but they are a great source
of legends, myths, and religious investigations.

I started my three week journey by visiting the museums and libraries on the island.  The Sebastian
Englert Museum holds the artifacts and documents found by Sebastian Englert and other primary
archaeologists.  The museum catalogs, cleans, and displays all the pieces they are given. Also inside
the museum is the William Mulloy Library.  This library is part of the National Digital Library and
holds all writings, photographs, maps, interviews, and field investigation reports for all excavations
on the island.  There is a reading room in the library that allows visitors to read through any of the
writings. There are always professionals on site at the library that I was able to get more personal
information from.  Although the real library was burned down a month before I arrived, the library
committee had copies of all the work from the library. They gave me personal access to those documents
and helped me navigate my way through them all.  I also visited the Rapa Nui National Park. This
National Park covers roughly 44% of the island, giving access to almost all of the island’s Moai. Along
with the great statues, this park also allows access to two ceremonial villages.  These ceremonial sites
were where the ancient people gave gifts to their many chiefs and gods. These areas were crucial for
me to find out more about the religious ceremonies on the island. The entrance tickets for all of these
places last for a few days, so I will be taking advantage of the exclusive access multiple times.  

Since I was on the island for approximately three weeks, I was able to take my time and meet with
people on the island.  I made contact before I arrived, but I also met plenty of people there. Museums
and tourist attractions were not enough to truly learn and understand the rich culture and history of this
remote island.  The island has clashing cultures of ancient and modern. I explored the ancient legends
and stories that have been passed down for hundreds of years. I also explored the scientific discoveries
and explanations for many of the great architecture and ancient tales on the island.

My time on the island was better than I ever could have imagined.  I made so many friends, and learned
about the indigenous life and how it is still prominent today.  I thought my small town was small, but
Easter Island is disconnected from the rest of the world! It was fun to explore remote places, shop at
indigenous markets, learn how to dive and fish using ancient techniques and even learn some Rapa Nui
phrases.  I learned more about myself on this trip than I thought I would, too. I am so grateful for this
experience. I will cherish these memories forever and carry them with me always.

My plan was to just go: Go across the street and share a smile and go across the world and share a
lifetime of experiences.  After completing multiple semester trips abroad, I realized how much I wanted
to visit places that are not fairly represented or understood. Easter Island, Chile, is well known for the
giant stone heads greeting everyone who crosses the Pacific Ocean.  Aside from that, most of the culture
and people are underappreciated. I loved the chance to change that. I wanted to know their culture and
history that spans the entire age of the island. I loved to come back and educate the people around me
about the polynesian culture that is far south of us.  I also loved the chance to represent the United
States as a respectful, curious, and cautious traveler. I did not want to be merely just a tourist, but instead,
I left the island as a friend.

As a senior at W&J, my “adult” life is quickly approaching.  This trip will be added to my resume as
nothing but a positive addition.  With this solo trip, I was able to understand language, archaeology,
engineering, and people more than I could on any other trip.  I was pushed out of my comfort zone, but
in an area that is safe and reliable. This trip was truly once-in-a-lifetime. The island does not get too
many visitors each year, and those that do go are not usually so young with ambitions as big as my
research proposal.  I come back to the United States with a book of experiences and a blog of historical
and archaeological finds. I will share my findings and ideas with anyone who is willing to listen!