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I have often looked at the “Window to the World” section of the website, interested in reading how individuals engage with cultures other than their own through music therapy. Although my travel experience has not yet included service provision, I feel that attending the 2011 World Congress in Seoul was an instrumental component in moving closer to that goal. Many sessions relayed others’ international work experience in both crisis and stable situations, offering valuable professional information.Each day presented an opportunity to explore yet another facet of South Korea’s rich cultural heritage, be it food, language, music, architecture, or social customs. In addition to the wonderful learning opportunities provided at the congress, I feel that I gained personal and professional knowledge through interacting with the citizens of Seoul as I took care of daily tasks, such as grocery shopping and transportation. The experience of living in a foreign culture, even for a short time, provided valuable insight that will enable me to empathize better with the challenges of clientele who are living in a new cultural context.In addition to personal growth, I had the opportunity to meet music therapy students and professionals from a variety of countries and to learn about global music therapy education and practice through paper presentations, workshops, and social gatherings. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of attending the 2011 World Congress was the formation of friendships with international colleagues. Dialogues regarding regional music therapy efforts and personal experiences enhanced my knowledge of the field as well as established a global network to support me as I continue my education. I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend the 2011 World Congress and am already saving pennies for the next global conference!Jen Spivy, Texas Woman’s University, USA
