Megan Orth
Last semester, Piotr Pasik, a graduate student in the Rehabilitation Counseling program, traveled to Serbia for the Second International Scientific Conference on Special Education and Rehabilitation. This was not Pasik’s first time to such a conference nor was it his first time traveling out of the country by himself.
To some this may come as a surprise because Pasik uses a motorized scooter or walker to get around, which could prove difficult when traveling to new places. Piotr, who visited five countries new to him just last year alone, clearly doesn’t let this stop him.
Piotr taking in the sights at the Great Wall of China while doing some research about other cultures' perceptions of disabilities.
The conference in Serbia offered a range of presentation topics including independent living, early childhood development, as well as cerebral palsy and how rehabilitation and special education relate to cerebral palsy specifically. Pasik felt personal ties to this last topic especially, as he says “Having grown up with cerebral palsy, I saw this as a great opportunity academically as well as an opportunity to understand myself better in terms of the condition that I have.”
Pasik was pleased that the conference in Serbia gave him the opportunity to “navigate the intellectual landscape of graduate conferences” because he wants to receive his PhD and knows he will be presenting at conferences like this one in the future. Piotr is intent on studying how other cultures perceive disabilities and what kinds of assistive services are offered across different cultures. Indeed, his travels are much more than a way to see new places, but they also fuel his academic ventures and allow for research and preparation for future employment.
The organization of the conference was disappointing at times because even though it was advertised in multiple languages, some of the presentations were done only in Serbian. Despite this, Piotr found it “encouraging seeing such a strong focus on special education and rehabilitation in a place that you wouldn’t necessarily expect like Eastern Europe.” Things may not always go as you expected during travels, but this is also a great way to learn, and as Piotr shows it’s no reason not to pursue an experience like going abroad.
Outside of the conference presentations, Piotr gained some important travelers’ insights from his interactions with people throughout Serbia who overall were “really helpful, nice, and warm.” Upon arriving in Belgrade, Piotr took a cab to his hotel and stopped at an ATM on the way, which was not accessible. On the return trip, he had the same driver who remembered the ATM access issues “so he went to a different one and went out of his way to make sure that I could access it easier – people paid attention, took note and were there to help.”
When traveling in general, Piotr has learned that it is important to reach out and to trust people, and when you travel with a disability, “a lot of it is about taking that first step.” He says that people may be hesitant at first if they have no experience with his specific type of disability, but when he takes the first step, they nearly always respond with wanting to help and often go out of their way to do so, just like his cab driver.
Piotr getting a hand from a new friend while in Aruba - Pasik believes it is very important to "take that first step" when you meet new people traveling.
Even with that first step, Piotr acknowledges that there are some physical structures in countries he has visited that can be obstacles, but he does not see them as any reason not to travel. “It may take a little creativity, but I just want to go, and I will figure it out when I get there. It’s something to take into consideration but not something that should ever deter you from those experiences.
RCPD Director Michael Hudson says, “I am delighted to see students like Piotr reach out globally in ways that strengthen their academic pursuits, deepen the application of knowledge and expand their understanding of what is possible. I hope others will observe Piotr’s experience and realize MSU is offering an experience that can be life changing. Indeed, our Study Abroad Scholarships and Disability in a Diverse Society offering in Dublin represent a great way to get started.”
Piotr and some friends on the Disability in a Diverse Society Study Abroad crossing a rope bridge.
Last year Piotr traveled to Poland, China, England, Hungary, Serbia, and Aruba, all for the first time except for Poland. He’s been on the Disability in a Diverse Society study abroad to Dublin, and plans on returning to Ireland as much as he can. His travels reflect his commitment to his academic pursuits as well as a desire to see the world - he hopes to visit at least two new countries each year, with his sights set on the Netherlands next. There may be challenges and obstacles along the way, but with determination, openness to others and a passion for seeing the world, there’s no telling where Pasik may end up next.