Opinion: I got a real-life lesson on a long train ride. It was a gift.

After two weeks of traveling across the country by train, I was at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport waiting for my flight back to San Diego. The terminal was full of people immersed in their phones while some families chatted among themselves. I couldn’t help but notice the absence of something that had become so normal on my train trip — strangers connecting with strangers.

This May, my USD professor Sarah Federman and my classmates spent long hours on the train headed across the country for a course called “Crossing the Divide.” Over two weeks, we’d stop at eight towns and cities, learning about various issues along the way. As part of the class, professor Federman encouraged us to do two things: make observations and talk to people. On the train, this became effortless. As train passengers, we had no urgent agenda, no place to be in the immediate future, and we all had at least one thing in common — we were on the same train, on the same route. As we connected with others, it seemed as if we were experiencing another side of humanity.

Our class met at the Old Town Transit Center to greet each other with hellos along with our luggage. We had no idea what to expect and, frankly, we didn’t know each other that well. That would change soon. Most of us arrived at the train station with an open mind and ready to embrace a new adventure.

And so, our journey began.

We first stopped at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. Founded by Father Gregory Boyle in 1988, this organization serves as an intervention and rehabilitation program for formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals. As we stepped inside the main building for a tour, a sense of warmth and community emanated from those around us. While our tour guide, Debra, described her life from childhood to prison to Homeboy Industries, it was evident that through this community, she was on a path toward healing and self-discovery. Having a sense of belonging seemed to be the glue that held everything together.

At our next stop in Patagonia, Ariz., we encountered a conflict between an Australian mining company, South32, and local environmentalists. South32 claims to create a low-carbon future by mining minerals to minimize environmental impact. The environmentalists argue that this project threatens the local environment, including the water supply. This conflict raised some thought-provoking questions about corporate responsibility, outmoded laws and finding common ground in a dispute. While the issue remains, one observation that I noticed, again, was the town’s strong sense of community.

Our next destination — the Deep South.

For me and a few others in the group, this was the first time we had traveled to this part of the country. Admittedly, we held some stereotypes about the South, but we were willing to put these opinions aside and just converse with people. During our travels in Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, Ala., and Montgomery, Ala., our discussions with locals gave us more insight into their daily lives and realities. We learned that many had similar beliefs to us and, in turn, my preconceived notions of those who lived in the South changed.

University of San Diego’s “Crossing the Divide” course gave us the gift of exploring various perspectives, life experiences and realities. We not only spoke with locals but also had a front-row seat to some conflicts that permeate the country.

Since the train trip, I have shared my experience and what I learned with friends, acquaintances and even strangers. Talking about this experience with others has opened the door to many conversations with one common denominator — we are all linked to each of these issues in some capacity.

As we face this contentious election year, we must return to what makes us human — connecting with others. We need to be more like train travelers — have face-to-face conversations with strangers, exchange life experiences and find some common ground, even if we have different destinations.

Aubin is the creative manager at the University of San Diego’s College of Arts and Sciences, and a recent alumna who received a master’s degree in peace and justice at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. She lives in San Diego.

Originally Published: July 26, 2024 at 6:05 a.m.