A place of importance to me is Canton, Mississippi. I have gone to canton for the past two years with my church to do mission work. We worked with an organization called In His Steps. Their mission is to get the kids in this area out of this town and into colleges, as well as help them with life skills. While we were there we helped in the garden, held a Vacation Bible School for the kids (and adults) of canton and worked with a day care in the town. This is a very poverty stricken area as well as the home to tons of victims of discrimination and racism. I was heartbroken to see the conditions these people were living in. Some of the houses didn’t even have floors, just dirt on the ground. There were too many people living in very small spaces. One family we met had …show more content…
I realized I was living my life in the past and the future rather than the present. I learned that things are not forever and you have to get the most out of it that you can. When I came home the first time I spent time becoming close with my family members, and creating a good relationship with all of them. I had always had issues getting along before but I put in a lot of effort because I realized that they are the people that matter the most. Things that I used to worry about didn’t seem so important anymore. In school I put in more effort trying to create relationships with my teachers and using all the resources they provided for me. during the second trip I learned a lot about myself. I had never really gotten to know myself before this. I matured to a level I never knew I could. I knew what I wanted to get out of life, I stopped going through the motions and really experienced every day. Now I try to live my life in the moment as much as possible. I take more responsibility for my actions. I am not afraid of new or challenging experiences anymore. I want to live life to the fullest and spread love in the lives of those I come
Ben Feinberg wrote What Students Don’t Learn Abroad about how students will go to other countries, but when they are asked “what they learned” (Feinberg 1) they answer by saying things like, “I became a risk-taker, or I can do anything I put my mind to” (Feinberg 1-2), but they do not share anything about what the other country was like, instead they talk about how the trip changed them, or taught them something about themselves that they did not already know.
After an exhausting,but fun trip I realized that something good always comes out of something devastating.The thanksgiving break that I thought would be devastating turned out to be one of the best memories of my childhood.I learned a lot from this experience that I will carry on with the rest of my life.I also realized you have to make the most out of a situation that you don't like.This Thanksgiving Break will never be
It taught me important skills that cannot necessarily be taught in a classroom. There are many important traits that make up a “well-rounded” student, or even just a well-rounded person. Things like being caring, open-minded, reflective and even a risk taker. They are all very important aspects of being a successful student and person. I learned so much about these traits while on this trip. I learned the importance of being caring. It is always important to be caring. I learned to be open-minded. So open-minded. I had never been to another country. Never flown without my family. And I did it anyways. I was a risk-taker. And lastly, this trip forced me to be reflective. I thought about it for a long time while I was home. I have even thought about returning and doing a study abroad program. I thought about the food and the music and the beaches but the one thing that I could not get off my mind was that sweet child. Meeting that young girl and coming in contact with her sweet demeanor and contagious laugh motivated me. It made me want to be around people with that same character. It made me want to be with children, everyday. And it made me want to begin the path of becoming a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. This trip was extremely influential in helping me decide my future. So here I am 6 months later enrolled in a Nursing program. It was greatly because of the
That experience basically instilled in me that no matter how good things are going it could change in an instant. I also stopped taking the small things in my life for granted. I live by the phrase, “It could always be worse”. It helps me stay positive in even the most stressful situations. Things don’t affect me like they used to because I can have that positive perception of just about any problem I
I started to evaluate the things that are important to me, the things that are missing from my life right now. I would like to make a positive contribution to my environment. I would like to be involved in the care and development of others. I would like to help people who require assistance with their recovery by teaching them new ways to do
I have learned what it means to serve and what it means to be content and trust God. I have learned what it means to be grateful even through the hard times. My relationship with god really has improved since my experience in Tecate, and I will be forever grateful for that door that God opened in my life. Over the trip I had the pleasure of living among and working with the men and women of the orphanage. The boys and girls taught me much more than I ever expected, what it means to be positive, get through hard times. The relationships I made may not still be in tact today but the marks they left on me, and who I am as a person still remain. I am forever changed for good because of the people I met at small orphanage in Tecate
8/25/16 Dear Uncle Paul, Hey, Uncle Paul, I just wanted to say hi and tell you about my summer because I have not heard from you since the end of the school year (I think). I figured that you would want to hear from me soon. So I wanted to write you a letter to tell you about my summer. The first week was our free week because my mom and dad were so nice that they gave us a free week to do whatever we wanted to do.
Getting prepared and ready to explore something new is just minor compared to the actual adventure for a senior anticipating the departure of their school trip. I was a member along with 30 other classmates of the co-curricular group called Business Professionals of America, a club organized through our school. Our teachers, club officers, and all of the members had been planning and fundraising for our trip to New York City for months. The excitement grew more and more as each day got closer to take off. All of us were anixious to see The Empire State Building, "Ground Zero," a Broadway play, and the spectacular views of gorgeous ocean sunsets. We had all been told and were aware of the different surroundings of the environment, or culture we would be experiencing when we arrived. Different cultures are common throughout the world, even in different places around the United States. Going on a trip to explore New York City really made the differences in cultures aware to me.
This journey taught me so much that I wouldn’t have ever imagined. I grew from this experience mentally and I saw my parents becoming closer and regaining that bond they held with one another. This event taught me to be more appreciative with all the little things I have and made me realize that life isn’t going to go the way you want it to; you have to fight for the path to lead you in the right direction. I was brought closer to both my parents and my brothers. This event started new beginnings for this family, a new start to get things right because when I found out I would be moving to San Diego, I never would have realized the struggles I went through; especially when I was a silent voice in the decision.
I came with high hopes and aspirations. My hometown is not near Arizona, it is Lake Tahoe, Nevada, so going home for the weekend was simply out of the question. I had a great time for the first month, enjoying freedom. However, I was sitting in my room one night writing a paper with my roommate, and one of my friends from home called me. She said that one of her good friends from high school had just committed suicide earlier that day.
I was able to spend a lot of time with my family, our friends, and play all sorts of games. This experience made me start to like traveling. Every time I would get the chance to travel, I will take that chance. We were able to go to a theme park, eat many delicious foods, and play many video
The world is full of wonders and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, that we take advantage of. Traveling is the ultimate education and it never fails as a teacher. It teaches you things no class can about the world and yourself. Seeing a historical spot and being in the environment it is in teaches you what no text book can. Most people hear about what is happening in the world through the bias not understanding media. However, if you are a traveler the real world influences you in a way the media will never be able to. We understand how the world works with its many cultures and lifestyles. Being a part of and experiencing different cultures broadens your views of the world and changing’s what you think of the world. Having expanded knowledge and understanding about culture is not the only thing travelers have. Finding your true self and learning about who you are is the best thing about being a traveler. There is no better way to find yourself because when you travel you open yourself up to millions of opportunities. Without travel you may be completely unaware of your true persona. Your limits are tested and you are completely out of your comfort zone when traveling. Getting out of the comfort zone helps you grow as a person and see your potential. I have experienced many different cultures that have personally changed myself and my outlook of the world. Traveling has given me the greatest education I know more about the world, cultures, and myself. Being a traveler is a huge blessing in my life I am so glad I am able to travel and see the world. Nothing can take away the memories that traveling and being a traveler has brought me. Get out there and see this beautiful world for yourself and become a traveler, you will not regret
Imagine walking onto a plane and travelling 3,000 miles across the ocean to spend the first semester of your college career in a completely different place than you’ve lived your entire life. Well, that was something that I personally experienced about two years ago. I got accepted to Arcadia University, and into their “FYSAE” (First Year Study Abroad Experience) Program. It was probably the most exciting, yet nerve-wracking thing that I had ever done in my life. I got on a plane and went to the UK for a full four months as a new freshman in college. When I was leaving my home, family, friends, and job I was anxious and sad to be leaving, but once I arrived in the UK I could not contain my excitement. I studied at Stirling University in Stirling, Scotland. The semester that I studied abroad was probably the best time of my life. In those four short months, I experienced a different culture, ate new foods, made lifelong friends, travelled to other places, learned to understand an accent that sounds like a whole other language, and learned to be independent. I accomplished all this while learning and taking a full course load (and getting good grades) at the university.
Asia was awesome! Everything, from the food I ate to the people I met, gave me a new perspective on life. I still cannot get over the fact that I have traveled to the other side of the world. This school program gave me many memorable experiences, allowed me to learn a lot about the culture of Asia, and introduced me to friends that I'll treasure for a life time. I knew that there was a reason I got to go, and while I was there I tried to make the most of such an opportunity.
I left for my exchange year during the summer of 2014, I was alone and very scared, I knew I was not going to se my family or my friends for a full year but I also knew how much this experience could have gave me. I lived my exchange year in North Dakota, I met so many amazing people there and learned about so many things; my exchange year completely changed me.