Why did you choose this program?
After thinking about what kind of service I wanted to provide, and where I wanted to go, how long I wanted to stay, I finally decided to choose Island Living. This trip was only 9 days and left me wanting more. This was 12 hours of service with plenty of beach days, so you can soak up the tropical sun on your off days. You will learn a lot about the island as well as providing eco-service, you'll probably end up leaving the Dominican Republic in hopes that you actually start a sustainable garden in your backyard just like my whole group did.
Although it was short and sweet, if you've never done a trip like this, then it's perfect for you to try out. Chances are, you'll end up loving it, and you will want to make even more of an impact. When you go on a service trip, you really feel as though you're making a difference in the community and crave more, this is what the world needs: more volunteers. Volunteering doesn't just benefit the community, but it also develops your skills and builds your experience.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Don't be afraid to try new things on your trip, every day, you will be presented with new opportunities and I highly suggest you take them. When will you be able to do some of these things back in your hometown? Consider that before you turn something down, otherwise, you might regret it later.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
This program allowed me to learn more about the more rural communities in the Dominican, while also appealing to my environmentalist side by providing eco-service.
Each day is different from the last, however, it is very fast paced because you have so much to do in such little time. The black water treatment project taught me a lot about the problems the community goes through day-to-day, and they are not the same problems that we have as privileged world travelers.
The work may seem difficult and tiresome, but it is worth every drop of sweat and all of your energy. This work humbles you, and once you finish the treatment system, you have the benefit of looking forward to beautiful beach days, waterfall hikes, and enjoying the eco-lodge resorts with your group.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I was so nervous to go alone, granted I had traveled alone before, I was nervous to spend a week and a half with total strangers. Thinking it wasn't enough time to get to know someone well enough, and too much time to not associate with them, but my perspective changed quickly when I was welcomed with open arms.
You may be hesitant at first, especially if you go alone (without a friend), but it just makes your group that much more special. You aren't exposed to any other support system other than the people around you, and they become your family in such a short amount of time. I still talk to most of my group, about 16 people were on my trip and that's the maximum. It may seem small, but in reality, it just makes getting to know each other easier.
We all worked really well together and our group leaders were fantastic. They all have stories of their own, and my group leaders were some of the most outgoing and adventurous people I've met, definitely take the time to get to know them too, they'll teach you a lot.
Is there anything you wish you would have done differently?
If I could've done anything differently, then it would probably be to go into the trip with a different mindset, willing to try everything right away because some of these opportunities are only presented once and I didn't get another chance to make up for what I missed out on. Just go into the trip willing to try new things, jump out of your comfort zone.
