An International Experience
Travel. It is something that most of us love to do or, at the very least, dream about. Whether it is to lands far away that we have only read about in history books or a place right in our county, travel is filled with adventure and new discoveries. And when you combine that adventure with an opportunity to learn new things, the experience is that much more exciting.
From Tourist to Tour Guide
Such is the case with Joanne Heaviland, a professional photographer who lives in Southern California. Heaviland has taken her passion for travel and photography and shared it with others in her photography workshops all over the world. It is a chance to explore, learn and create in some of the most beautiful places on Earth.
As an employee for United Airlines when she was just 21, Heaviland had the opportunity to travel all over the world to places such as China, Thailand, Greece, Mexico, Canada, Peru and many places throughout Europe. That experience, combined with her own heritage, gave her a taste of places she would like to explore further.
Growing up with an Italian grandmother, Heaviland developed a passion for Italy and Italian food early in life. Her work as a professional photographer and passion for travel are what inspired her to conduct travel photography workshops.
“I named my first one in 2013 to Tuscany, Italy ‘Wine, Food & Photography,’” said Heaviland. “My 2011 trip is what inspired me to do a tour to Peru and also Machu Picchu in June of 2015 that was titled ‘Experience Peru: A Culinary, Cultural and Photography Journey through the land of the Incas.’”
The 2011 trip to which Heaviland refers was with a nonprofit group, International Children’s Network, that assists at-risk and orphaned children in countries all around the world. Heaviland traveled to Peru in 2011 as part of the group that was there to choose children for the World Orphan Choir.
As she traveled to orphanages in the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of 17,000 feet, Heaviland saw young children who had been abandoned, neglected and abused. The children were living in an orphanage so they could attend school – an option that would not be available to them if they lived with their parents.
Heaviland shares how, as the children auditioned for the choir, they were singing for their lives. It was their ticket out of poverty to be able to travel throughout the U.S. performing at schools, churches and community events to bring awareness to the plight of poverty in other parts of the world.
Heaviland knew she wanted to be involved. She used her talent as a photographer and as she traveled to the orphanages in Peru, she took photographs of all the orphaned children – one avenue by which potential sponsors could connect with the children. Heaviland sponsors three of those children.
But her trip not only changed the lives of the children, it changed hers as well. She fell in love with the country of Peru and vowed to return. She did just that this past year with her Peru tour.
“My tours are unique in the sense that I always include wine – or in the case of Peru, their traditional drink of Pisco Sours – food and photography. We also have a cooking class of the traditional food from each particular country, and then I hold photography classes for any of the participants that are interested in photography,” said Heaviland. “I would say that usually half the people on my tours are interested in learning how to improve their photos. The tours also include cultural and historical tours as well.”
Heaviland shares that given the world as it is today, it is often preferable for many to travel as part of a tour. “I think especially women who are traveling alone prefer to travel in a group. They feel safer, but they also enjoy other women who like to travel as well,” said Heaviland.
One of those who went on the tour is Chrys Wallen who traveled with her daughter-in-law to Peru this past June.
“We had a tour through the local market place in Lima led by our chef at the Sky Kitchen Cooking School,” said Wallen. “It was very fun and informative.”
As a novice photographer, Wallen said she appreciated Heaviland’s patience with teaching photography on the trip. “She taught me a lot,” said Wallen who adds that the accommodations were wonderful and the local guides were very informative. “I am ready to go on another tour with Joanne, whenever and wherever she plans to go, I'm ready.”
In addition to returning to Peru and Italy for tours in 2016, Heaviland is currently planning a tour to Ireland for this year, a new place for her. She will announce exact dates in February on her website, www.joanneheavilandphotography.com.
Beyond Studying Abroad
While many equate such travel with the life of the retired or the wealthy, there are college students who are also choosing to not only study abroad but to also immerse themselves into the culture by taking part in classes that give them a broader understanding of the country in which they choose to temporarily call home.
Nichole Pagano is a senior at the University of Idaho where she is majoring in marketing in the College of Business and Economics. She has spent this fall exploring the country of Italy. It’s been exhausting and exhilarating and, given the chance, she would do it all over again. In addition to Italian 1 and Italian 2, her courses include Italian Cuisine and Intercultural Communications. “These classes in particular have definitely enhanced my experience in Italy,” said Pagano. She shares how her Intercultural Communications class has brought to light many of the cultural barriers between the cultures. “From language to religion to norms and beliefs,” the differences are many.
Pagano said that her full Italian experience was definitely enhanced by enrolling in the Italian language classes, as difficult as they have been. “I feel more competent and confident living in Torino being able to carry a basic conversation with locals,” said Pagano.
And Pagano was determined to leave Italy in December with an ability to communicate effectively in Italian.
“I feel like I know a lot of Italian, but at the same time I know there is so much more out there,” said Pagano. “But every time an Italian can tell I'm American and speaks to me in English and I reply in Italian, I feel extra victorious!”
The Italian Cuisine class has taught her far more than learning how to cook authentic Italian dishes; it has given her a glimpse into where the Italian culture’s passion lies. “Implementing the Italian Cuisine class to my studies has given me an appreciation of what it truly means to be Italian. When you visit an area and eat the food, you don’t fully understand the time and effort and generations of recipes that it takes to bring that food to your table,” said Pagano. “Learning different techniques and recipes and prep courses to make a full Italian meal has not only helped me understand the culture, but has made me fall in love with Italy even more.”
As she comes to the end of her four-month adventure, Pagano said she would do it again in a heartbeat. Not only was it a chance to learn about another culture, but the experience has changed her in ways difficult to describe.
“If you told me I could start again tomorrow, I would without a second thought. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, but I can tell how much I've grown and changed, and I'm excited to get back home and implement what I've learned into my daily life in America.”
