Give us a little intro!
Rebecca: I am pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Human Services with and emphasis in Social Science. I am also pursuing a double minor in Psychology and Biblical Ministry Studies. I attend Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. When I dance, I love to do the coffee-grinder, but only on special occasions.
Why did you pick this program?
Rebecca: I selected Projects Abroad because I found it to be quite inexpensive compared to many other programs. Doing service and working with community members is one of my main passions. Being able to live with a family in a homestay was something that I had heard of, and was really interested in experiencing. While looking through programs, I was really excited to find so many opportunities to learn more about the program through webinars, a personally assigned contact, a great website, phone calls, emails, and many other methods of communication. I even discovered that Projects Abroad offered fundraising assistance! I was passionate about traveling to a country where I could learn through hands-on experience and get to know the people that I would be living among, and Projects Abroad was the right organization to help me get that experience!
What was the hardest part about going abroad?
Rebecca: I had never traveled abroad before, aside from Canada, so it was a very challenging and interesting adventure for me. I have never struggled with being homesick and did not think that I would when I was abroad, however, I really missed my friends and family back home. I was in a strange state of sorrow over having to leave and being broken-hearted about leaving the children that I was serving in an orphanage, and wanting to see my friends and family back home. I made many preparations and plans before traveling, but still struggled with situations with my bank and phone company before leaving. Those types of things were stressful, but thankfully I was able to work them out before I left.I also got sick with a terrible cold while I was abroad, but the staff at Projects Abroad took good care of me. The hardest part of all these difficulties, was by far, leaving the children behind that I had come to love so much. They will always remain in my heart and memories as the inspiration to live my life to the fullest and always serve others. This was a terribly challenging journey, but it made me a stronger individual because of it.
Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.
Rebecca: I was pushed out of my comfort zone many times, and truly experienced a different world than I knew to be my own. I have often dreamed of traveling to a different country to learn about the cultural differences, and to see how people live in different circumstances than my own. It broke my heart to see how a country struggles to provide for the marginalized individuals of society, but it was something that I needed to see. Not everybody, and hardly anyone, lives with as many luxuries and freedoms as Americans. While my country is not perfect, I recognize all of the many things that I have to be thankful for, as well as the many reasons that I cannot live without conscience effort to effect change in the lives of those less fortunate than myself. There is no way to experience the food, language, and lifestyles of a people of a different culture, by watching it on television. I do not know how to live a meaningful life without striving towards gaining a better understanding of the many people that live outside the borders of my own country. There are so many intriguing things about travel, such as seeing beautiful castles, smelling the scents of flowers I have never seen, and hiking up mountains filled with wildlife, that cannot be described in a book or on a documentary. There is far too many reasons to travel, and so few (zero) not to! There is always a way to expand your horizons and find out more about yourself through travel!
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Rebecca: The trip is only what you make it. If you do not challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone, you will not be able to have as meaningful of an experience. If you desire to change your life and transform your understanding of life, then you cannot be content with being comfortable. Projects Abroad maintained my health and safety, but that did not mean anything about my trip was easy. It was terribly hard to work in an orphanage and know that I had to leave them, probably never to see them again. If you want to travel abroad, prepare yourself to expect the unexpected and learn from the way that you react to uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations. Do not be afraid to interact with those around you, and ask questions. Learn from your experiences so that you can make every experience meaningful and memorable.