Coming to Portland has given me an incredible amount of perspective and has allowed me to digest my life in a way I have been unable to before.
If Portland is “weird” then keep it that way. To me, weird means to be different. Difference evokes emotions of fear, because we fear what we do not understand. By saying “keep Portland weird”, we accept difference and decide to live knowing that understanding is possible. If we can understand, then we are more likely to fight for those who give us the same level of compassion.
In Portland, I have been exposed to many different NGOs and grass root movements focused on sustainability. I have found hope in the fact that even though my dreams are big, I can still accomplish them through something small. That “something small” just needs to be able to connect with people in a meaningful way. It seems to me that the people in Portland share similar values and fight for what they love. They work together and are consciously growing, making an effort to play their role in the bigger picture.
This summer I had the opportunity to work with SOLVe, an NGO committed to restoring watersheds through community engagement, in the Portland Metropolitan area. Throughout the summer we worked with hundreds of volunteers removing invasive plants and protecting the native ones. I learned an incredible amount from my supervisors, Annie Maass (a fellow Dukie), and the volunteers who helped us play an imperative role in saving planet earth. Thank you SOLVe for giving me such an incredible opportunity and for exposing me to the world of NGOs.
I want to thank my adviser Bob Healy for reminding me to take life slow and to be present in the moment and learn. We call him the “wizard of knowledge”, and already his perspective has changed how I view the world. He has taught me to be curious about all things, for you never know when you may hear something that will change your life. He has taught me to keep an open mind and to be aware of every possible angle. Thank you Bob. Also, a big thanks to our site coordinator Sarah for rallying the troops and connecting us to the amazing people and beautiful landscapes of Oregon. I have learned so much from our group discussions and all the different volunteering events you have exposed me to.
I also want to thank my fellow peers for all their insight and positive energy. As a group we are all so unique but it has been amazing to watch us find those things that make us one. To my roommate Bobby, thank you for all the engaging conversations we have had about the differences between Chinese and American Cultural. I have learned so much from you and I am excited for our friendship to grow even more when we head back to duke.
Thank you Duke, my family and friends for all your wonderful support.
-Carl Heinz
If Portland is “weird” then keep it that way. To me, weird means to be different. Difference evokes emotions of fear, because we fear what we do not understand. By saying “keep Portland weird”, we accept difference and decide to live knowing that understanding is possible. If we can understand, then we are more likely to fight for those who give us the same level of compassion.
In Portland, I have been exposed to many different NGOs and grass root movements focused on sustainability. I have found hope in the fact that even though my dreams are big, I can still accomplish them through something small. That “something small” just needs to be able to connect with people in a meaningful way. It seems to me that the people in Portland share similar values and fight for what they love. They work together and are consciously growing, making an effort to play their role in the bigger picture.
This summer I had the opportunity to work with SOLVe, an NGO committed to restoring watersheds through community engagement, in the Portland Metropolitan area. Throughout the summer we worked with hundreds of volunteers removing invasive plants and protecting the native ones. I learned an incredible amount from my supervisors, Annie Maass (a fellow Dukie), and the volunteers who helped us play an imperative role in saving planet earth. Thank you SOLVe for giving me such an incredible opportunity and for exposing me to the world of NGOs.
I want to thank my adviser Bob Healy for reminding me to take life slow and to be present in the moment and learn. We call him the “wizard of knowledge”, and already his perspective has changed how I view the world. He has taught me to be curious about all things, for you never know when you may hear something that will change your life. He has taught me to keep an open mind and to be aware of every possible angle. Thank you Bob. Also, a big thanks to our site coordinator Sarah for rallying the troops and connecting us to the amazing people and beautiful landscapes of Oregon. I have learned so much from our group discussions and all the different volunteering events you have exposed me to.
I also want to thank my fellow peers for all their insight and positive energy. As a group we are all so unique but it has been amazing to watch us find those things that make us one. To my roommate Bobby, thank you for all the engaging conversations we have had about the differences between Chinese and American Cultural. I have learned so much from you and I am excited for our friendship to grow even more when we head back to duke.
Thank you Duke, my family and friends for all your wonderful support.
-Carl Heinz