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[spyrals]

I think I'm weird when it comes to traveling. Most of my friends have traveled the world, gone at least to Europe and Asia. And I just don't think I have the same attitude to traveling that they do. I don't have the desire or drive to go see those places. Nothing pulls me there except a vague curiosity and a sense of I-really-should-because-that's-

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[spyrals]

I have nothing but admiration for people who go overseas to help, like doctors volunteering in India or Africa and like you said, people going for 6 months to teach and build infrastructure. There's a girl in one of my lj friends who does exactly that and I have nothing but respect for her.

However I have no desire to do that nor am I qualified in any way to do those things. Also, I don't think it's realistic for me to go to any of those countries by myself even for the simple reason of personal safety - I don't feel safe when I go out in Sydney even because I get approached/harassed if I am alone and I would be pretty scared for my personal safety in a place lacking of infrastructure and policing..
I would also feel kind of fake because I am not going there because I want to but purely because of white guilt. I don't really feel any white guilt. I think I am extremely lucky to live in a rich country and have a lifestyle that affords me to have so much free time and I don't feel guilty about enjoying my life when others face hardship. I'm just extremely fortunate and I appreciate of what I have.

I also feel like my helping out in those places would just be so insignificantly small that the only thing it would achieve is making me feel better without having any impact on another country's economy. It's more satisfying for me to help close friends because I can see that I made their lives better in some ways.
I guess it's true that I am a consumer, I just can't feel guilty about being one. I think people of our generation were raised to be consumers and focus on life experiences and individuality and personal fulfillment. If I said I felt differently I would be lying - all I want from life is happiness. I also feel like I do give back to the world and I have a contribution just by being who I am. I feel more than a little weird saying that because it sounds selfish but I think lots of people are like me and just don't verbalise it.

[jujulilianan]

heh - just looking for an alternative viewpoint. this is something I have been thinking about for a little while...

All my life so far, I have only ever gone away from home as a tourist. I've already consumed my share of places.

Lack of desire or concern for safety is one valid thing, but qualified? Seems that these charity organisations need people to do everything that any organisation needs. it's not just eye surgery and building bridges... phones need answering, media needs talking to, stuff needs organising, kids need english lessons, etc.
:-)
I'm totally not professionally qualified for anything in particular at this place I'm looking at (I mean, what good is electronic design and embedded firmware for Burmese refugees?) but maybe I can still help. I was kind of wondering if I could do something in a charity capacity that would be good direct experience for my career too, but coming up with a blank so far - might just have to do it for the experience.

I dunno about white guilt being a driving factor for wanting to do charity work - maybe charity donations - but guilted into doing work? that seems to me like a recipe for massive resentment.... The thing is, I feel privileged and grateful to have had the opportunities that I was born into. I don't feel guilty about that. but as I get older, I'm feeling the need more to try and give opportunities to others, too... and what's insignificantly small? If you can help one single person lift themselves up a bit, you've changed one entire universe.