Through our class readings and discussions we have looked at several different ethical principles, and there are three that I want to focus on for my project.

Commitment to the Issue

Being fully committed and engaged in the issue that I will be researching, food waste, is one of the most important ethical principles for myself. Several of the articles we read in class mentioned volunteer tourism where individuals volunteer abroad not so much for the cause, but more so for the opportunity to travel and explore a foreign culture and society. These volunteers were still probably able to make an impact on the community by their work, however, not being passionate and personally invested in the work you are doing usually leads to just average results. I am already very interested in food waste, and will strive to maintain this same enthusiasm and commitment to the cause while I am in Bulgaria, as well as when I come back to Houston. I want this project to be successful and create a sustainable impact that paves the way for improvement in food policy in Bulgaria. Food insecurity is an issue that can very easily be fixed, and therefore it’s important that those involved in it do not give up or be involved in it only temporarily, because the more people are involved, the faster things will change.

Clear Communication

Having clear communication between my mentor and myself is very important in order that we are upholding each other’s expectations and in order to successfully and efficiently work on this project. Furthermore, I will be interacting with the community in Bulgarian and English and therefore need to be especially cognizant of how I am getting my points across and that things don’t get lost in translation.

Reflection

Another important principle is reflecting on my experiences and looking for ways to improve, connect, and expand upon them. While abroad, I want to reflect each day on what I have accomplished and what I could improve on for the next day. I will also continue blogging about the process and journaling on my own. I will also seek out feedback from my mentor and the other students I will be working with so that we are all on the same page and that we are progressing as a team.