Saying Goodbye to Bethel

I cannot believe today is my last day in Bethel - I will miss this place a lot. Southwest Alaska has been my home for the past ten weeks. Although I have been alone in this capstone experience, I have by no means been lonely living here. I have made wonderful friendships that will endure past my departure, as well as learning SO much about Alaska Native culture. Who else could say that she tried walrus soup and caribou stew during her capstone? To tell you the truth, walrus is a bit chewy for my taste, but... caribou is absolutely delicious!
During the past few months, I have truly come to respect and admire the residents of Bethel. It takes such courage and determination to survive out here in the "bush". Getting food and maintaining your home are like a second full-time job! Nonetheless, the trade-off to everyone's hard work lies in quiet tranquility and beauty of the flat tundra. Nature has so many wonderful things to offer when you actually take the time to stop and pay attention. Back in the Lower 48, the hustle-and-bustle of this dog-eat-dog world causes people to run around in circles... gaining money but losing their sanity. In Bethel, there is no obsession with materialism simply because it is completely unpractical. No one cares if you drive the hottest new Lamborghini -- in fact, if you do, you're probably going to get stuck in a mud puddle and everyone will stop to laugh at your silliness. Instead, it is the people that really matter. The sense of community in Bethel is an amazing thing to witness. Nowhere else in my life have I come across such a large group of people who all wish to make their community better.
Nearly every person that I have talked to while I've been here has said the same thing... 'when I first arrived in Bethel, I hated it; it's so flat and boring and there's nothing to do here.' Yet here they are, years later, still in Bethel, telling me their stories. When I ask what kept them here, they all answer: the people :)
In conclusion, I am so happy I chose to come to Bethel for my senior nursing capstone. In addition to learning tons about Public Health, I learned about the Alaskan way of life.. and most importantly, I learned about myself.