Being and Doing: A Cultural Immersion Reflection

Abstract

Doing, that is, working and achieving accomplishments, is a strong Western value. Alternatively, being is about focusing on relationships and the moment. In a weeklong service-learning experience that included manual labor, cultural immersion activities, relationship building, and daily prayer and reflection, an educator was able to help nursing students discover the importance of being, while offering service. Stories and sharing helped to achieve the goal of moving students to a deeper understanding of the Bible's call to solidarity and justice.