“Toothbrush People: American College Students’ Personal Experiences with Poverty, Inequalities, Humility and Kindness”
By Don Gogniat and Valerie White
In “Toothbrush People,” Don Gogniat and Valerie White hope to reinforce the long-term impact and importance of international travel and education through the first-person accounts of students participating in the Semester At Sea program.
Amy DeVillez poses with a child at a Cambodian orphanage in spring 2010.
Almost all of the stories in this book are real-life encounters students have had with strangers in other countries and cultures. In most cases, how they have internalized the interaction and why it is important to them is described in the narrative. How they have remembered the person and the interaction over time is a compelling component of the second portion of the book, where years after their first meeting, the students share their memories.
While reading these stories, appreciate the relevance of an international educational experience as part of a college degree program. This book depicts only one memory from their adventures abroad. Undoubtedly there have been a multitude of such encounters throughout the Semester at Sea. These experiences prepare a person to be able to both better understand and fit into a globalized world.
We will benefit as a country if our future leaders meet and interact with people from many countries and many cultures.
Unfortunately, these students are far from typical.
From a 2010 report prepared by the Institute of International Education, they state: “Just over one percent of all U.S. students enrolled in U.S. higher education at any academic level typically study abroad during any single academic year. Among students pursuing Bachelor’s degrees, about 14 percent study abroad at some point during their undergraduate programs.”
This book will encourage students, parents, faculty, and administrators to support and promote education abroad programs.
Available on Amazon.com, paperback for $19.24 and on Kindle for $9.99
Reviews
Inspiring – 5 stars
Toothbrush People is an inspirational read that makes the world seem like a smaller place. By putting a face and a story to far away lands, it personalizes it in a way that draws you in. I recommend this to anyone going on an international voyage or a mission trip. It will help you remember to keep your eyes open and be prepared to be moved when you least expect it.
– Wendy Poer (via Amazon.com)
Global Citizens, Personal Stories – 5 stars