Cultural Immersion: Unveiling Africa’s Impact on my Personal and Professional Growth
I had the opportunity to immerse myself in African cultures through international volunteer work in Cape Verde. This experience profoundly impacted my life, leading me to explore the social pulse of different communities and contributing significantly to my personal growth.
Everyday experiences can be thrilling, especially when we take the time to engage all our senses. It’s fascinating how our individual perspectives and emotional reactions to any given situation can vary based on our unique points of view and sensitivities. Its dealing with our self-awareness. Everyone has their own “point of views” and their “emotional reactions” from any angle. And it is possible to experience the same “moment” differently because everyone owns five senses and some of them are or get more sensitive than others.
Living in different cultures can be challenging, especially when trying to distinguish moral perspectives from our own background. It is common for me to struggle with this distinction, but through comparison, we can make informed decisions and reactions that allow us to grow and learn from others.
I had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand while living and working in central Africa, where the human crisis collides with wealth, power, politics, and social strata contrasts. I learned that merging and getting along with these cultures without any political or economic angle is a blessing.
At the age of nineteen, I began to photograph in Africa when I was feeling deeply disoriented about my future goals. Photography became a way for me to focus on my experiences with human behavior, social trends, and physical endurance. It has become a lifelong passion and has helped me develop patience and persistence in overcoming challenges.
My experiences in Africa have transformed me in ways that I didn’t realize at the time. They have given me the tools and strength to overcome obstacles and challenges that I have faced, and I am grateful for the personal and professional growth that they have facilitated.
Duarte Lima Villas Photography 