I remember being sat at the garden tables of the John Felice Rome Center in Rome, Italy; it was a sunny Tuesday. Carlson was in front of me, Thomas was on my right, and Katie was in front of him. We were talking about what led us to believe in what we do. Our main objective was getting to know what matters the most to each of us. We were talking and listening with our hearts, really forming a connection. I would describe it as if something beyond our bodies was connecting. Later, that would be described as the Holy Spirit. The time was running out, we had to go back inside, but we didn’t want to. That conversation has stuck with me ever since that day. It was one of the most valuable lessons I learned during the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Global Citizenship Fellows Program.
Traveling to Rome and meeting fellows from all over the world was an enriching experience. As I was one of the first people to arrive, I was there for most of the other fellows coming in from the airport. There was always a loving and fun atmosphere between everyone. Nobody would know that was the very first time we met in person. The conversations started flowing, and they never stopped. Every walk, breakfast, and especially every dinner turned out to be our favorite space for bonding. Being sat at a large table, with 14 people and tons of plates of the most delicious food, sets a comfort zone where being loud, talkative, and passionate is inherent to deep conversations, being vulnerable and an active listener.
Each of us felt part of something bigger than ourselves; we knew we were there because of something beyond our own interests. Since the first workshop, I was able to tell I was sitting between some of the most brilliant, dedicated, and courageous people. While everyone had strong opinions and was able to stand by them, everyone was willing to listen and learn from others. The space for understanding and how everyone showed up as correctable was fundamental in the whole program.
The IAJU Global Citizenship Fellows Program gave me the opportunity to realize that the problems I see in my daily life are also lived by a young man in India or in the Philippines, and having the chance to share experiences made me hopeful. I probably don’t know yet how to solve structural problems in my city, but I can surely do small things that have meaningful intentions for others. I can approach bigger problems with one step at a time, not with the intention of solving them instantly, but making them easier to deal with.
Exploring Rome, learning about the city, and meeting all the fellows and organizers was one of the most heartwarming experiences I have ever had. The whole week was full of surprises: a rainy papal audience, free pizza, an incomprehensible public transportation system, and hundreds of selfies. I can recall very few moments when I felt my life was being changed, this is one of them. As we said in our "Synodality, Power, and Community Organizing" workshop: people change people.
