An International Community

One of the most amazing things about the ranch is the number of different countries that the international community partners have come from to experience their transformational journeys of personal growth. Many have come to improve their English, and it is fascinating to watch two people from foreign cultures communicate in a language that is neither of their mother tongues. This is one of the things that I have always loved about staying in hostels; meeting people from a whole host of different backgrounds all having new and exciting experiences in the same space. 

There is another similarity between hostel travel and the international community of the ranch, as each allows similar people to form friendships that they would never have a chance to do otherwise. In a hostel dorm, it can be almost guaranteed that everyone will have a similar sense of adventure and wanderlust. This holds true for the community partners and many of the ranch guests, but international community partners have another layer of testing to go through which identifies those who will fit the ranch ethos and international community. Each of us complete a series of questionnaires before being offered a position, which acts like a formula for friendship as each of us self-identify before arrival as having similar values and principles. 

Some of the friendships formed here will last me a lifetime, and as incredible as it has been to meet the other international community partners it has been an equally unique experience interacting with the ranch guests; many of them older than myself, with vastly different backgrounds and values than those of us community partners.    

Meeting people of differing political views and cultural values has done a lot to broaden my mind and my worldview and guide me on my transformational journey. Of all the lessons I have learned here, understanding the different backgrounds of people has been one of those that may impact my future the most. 

By Emma A., UK