Have you ever considered spending winter or spring break doing something bigger? I did! I can honestly say my life would not be the same today if I hadn’t made the decision to try something new. Here’s what I learned during my week in Hondo Valle, Dominican Republic.
1. You grow really close to the people you serve with.
You just decided to spend a whole week with 19 other strangers in a foreign country where pretty much none of you know the language. You can say your whole group will get “pretty close pretty quick.” The memories you shared, the lessons you learned, and the mistakes you made along the way will create a bond that will last a lifetime. Not to mention, the 20 of you must take a reunion pic at every social outing you attend for the next four years.
2. You pick up on the language quicker than you think.
Let’s just say you got off the plane only knowing the terms “Gracias,” “Hola,” and “Adios.” By the end of the trip you feel like you can converse with the locals pretty well. Did you run into a word you don’t know? That doesn’t stop you from using awkward and slightly inappropriate hand gestures to get your point across!
3. When in a foreign country, you do as the locals do!
Okay, so you may be used to X-Box games and extensive rounds of Candy Crush to pass the time. However, that doesn’t stop you and your new friends from grabbing the nearest, six foot long, dried up banana leaf and sliding down a four story high mound of dirt and rocks.
4. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” right?
Let it be said that you won’t be running to tell your mom about riding on the back of a random Dominican guy’s motorcycle the moment your plane lands in the U.S. . . . sorry mom!
5. People are a lot nicer than you sometimes gave them credit for.
Three days ago you witnessed some woman in Starbucks curse out the barista. Today you just saw a malnourished woman carry her disabled son around their wooden shack to feed, bathe, and clothe him. You could say your faith in people has been restored.
6. You learn to appreciate so much more in your own
life.
By the end of the week, that cold bucket shower is waiting for you and you couldn’t be more excited. However, you must admit you look forward to turning the facet at home and feeling that warm water and actually flushing a toilet.
7. You wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.
All in all the trip was amazing and you wouldn’t have wanted to spend break doing anything else. The friends you made and the things you learned will last you a lifetime and you can’t wait to see what’s next!
