Michael - OL has been a breath of fresh air for me, thanks. I'm glad to see that you've had the ability to test and solidify your viewpoints in Brazil. Your point about seeing contradictions with what I read is a valid one. As a relative 'beginner,' I've been careful to not take in all of Ayn Rand's principles without testing and questioning them first in my own surroundings. I think that taking a firm stance on Objectivist principles without having a thorough and personal understanding of them is potentially dangerous. Like you said, being in Bangladesh is perhaps the best way to step out into unfamiliar surroundings to fully evaluate my take on Objectivism. Although after being in BD for 6 months, I'd say I'm still in the beginning phases of 'making peace' with questioning and keeping my own values against existing conditions here. In fact, I've underestimated how hard this can be, from several specific areas: the culture of 'giving to the poor' - both because it is a Muslim culture, and because it has been hit with enormous natural disasters every 2-3 years, the country's act of giving to those in need is everywhere. When walking in the overpopulated streets of Dhaka, the beggars, the physically handicapped, and the poor are everywhere (the rich don't walk in the streets). Given this, it is not only expected that beggars will come up to me for money, I am also expected to give to them. I don't see desperate expressions of need, but only looks of bewilderment when I refuse. And while all around me, almost everyone else in the streets is either strolling aimlessly, or lounging around on sidewalks. I can't get over my internal frustration with this scene, and unlike a temporary business trip, I am living here and encounter this as a daily routine. role of women - it has been particularly frustrating taking on a leadership role here while in a male-dominated work environment. While I do get some leeway as a foreigner, the gender difference is still very much prevalent. I'd say 99% of women that I do see in the offices are secretaries. They walk into rooms after men, and speak after men finish. While I recognize that it is a cultural difference, it has been hard understanding/balancing what I "should" do against my own values. What makes it even more difficult is that the women themselves do not feel oppressed, and probably think me a bit queer altruism as a standard - Altruism is not a topic that is questioned or talked about here. It is the way of life. Given this, things such as profit-driven businesses that don't actively fight poverty, or capitalistic ideas that don't have the poor's immediate interests in mind are denounced. Differing viewpoints, if any, are not publicly discussed. This may be one of the most depressing aspects for me - that people don't even find it a worthwhile topic to talk about. Of course, I had expected all of this before coming; my only surprise is in how hard it has been for me to personally adjust to these differences. I've spent my early childhood years in rural China, and also love backpacking through developing countries. But I've come to realize that it is in actually staying in an environment for an extended amount of time that your values are brought to the forefront to be tested. This is definitely a worthwhile experience for me, especially in the long run, I believe. In the meantime, I look forward to the refreshing articles and viewpoints here at OL! - Jen