Rodrigo Trujillo (McMutry, ’20) was born a global citizen and is likely to remain one his entire life. Although his mother is Argentinian and father is Salvadorian, Rodrigo’s lineage traces back to Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and the United States.
Rodrigo identifies himself as a third culture kid – he’s lived and studied in five different countries all over Latin America but was educated under an American school system and has maintained an international network of friends, family, and employers. Before his freshman year at Rice, he attended Balboa Academy, a high school located in Panama City, Panama.
“There’s something magical about living in a place where you are surrounded by a tropical rainforest on one side and an ocean with amazing beaches on the other. It makes the city feel as if it’s connected to the earth.”
Needless to say, Rodrigo misses all aspects of Panama, especially since he likes outdoor activities including hiking, surfing, and playing soccer.
In transitioning to American life, he had the biggest culture shock when he discovered the close-mindedness of some Americans. After having a global perspective his entire life, Rodrigo was surprised to meet individuals who had a skewed or erroneous view of the world and the problems it faced.
“It seemed almost as if the U.S. is a bubble that isolates people from real problems plaguing the rest of the planet…I have learned to be more tolerant and to recognize that other people had different upbringings than I did.”
Rodrigo also noted adjustments to other parts of American life, including feeling safe enough to bike alone in large American cities and interacting with people of different socioeconomic backgrounds. While some Latin American cities are largely developed, it was not safe enough for him to leave home alone sometimes. Also, attending only international private schools limited the amount of time he spent in conversation with people of different economic statuses. However, after taking a sociology class at Rice, Rodrigo now has a better grasp on how history can have a profound impact on current social problems and larger issues.
Unsurprisingly, Rodrigo advised me to keep an open mind when considering all Panama has to offer. A little courage and spontaneity are the keys to seeing how interesting and exciting Panama can be – bustling metropolises, smaller shanty towns, and pristine rainforests are all within an hour’s drive. While I have gotten a mere glimpse of the amazing range of experiences Panama has after my study abroad program there last fall, I look forward to returning and exploring new sights and sounds! Thanks Rodrigo for the insightful chat!