by Bryn Rodgers

This summer, while volunteering with Little Sisters Fund, I learned that connections don’t always begin with language, it can start with a simple smile. Throughout my eight weeks here, I have had the opportunity to grow, learn, and step outside my comfort zone. One of my biggest worries before arriving in Nepal was the language barrier and how I would connect with the girls during letter writing days or school visits. But I quickly discovered that care and joy can be communicated in more ways than just words.

Cross-cultural communication has been one of the most meaningful aspects of my experience this summer. Conversations with LSF staff, Little Sisters, and others I’ve met along the way have allowed for learning moments and genuine connections. I’ve also been able to share parts of my life and experiences creating a reciprocal relationship where we can learn from one another. Even when I couldn’t have a deep conversation, I found that I could still learn a lot by observing and participating in activities. A simple smile can break the ice and be the first step to learning and engaging with people. One of my most memorable moments was during a school visit to Shree Mahakali Secondary School in the Nagarkot area. When all the Little Sisters were coming into the room where the meeting was being held, there was one girl sitting across from me. She seemed quite shy so before asking her name, I smiled at her. She responded with a funny face which made me laugh, and then we went back and forth making different funny faces! I realized that the tension was broken and at that moment we were just two people sharing a laugh and connecting through simple joy.

A smile can go a long way in breaking down barriers in cross-cultural communications. I’ll carry this moment and mindset with me into future interactions to hopefully continue to create genuine connections with the people I meet.