Life-changing experience on GIVE trip

Traveling with GIVE was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and changed my perspective in more ways than I can count. During my time in Hawai’i, I learned about how to be a responsible and conscientious community member, the Hawaiian culture, and myself. The guides and project partners we worked with taught us about giving instead of just receiving from others, a lesson that truly resonated and that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Interacting with community members during our projects and seeing the progress our group could make when we worked together showed me the power in teamwork and that any contribution can make a real difference. GIVE provided us with the opportunity to be so deeply immersed in the culture and community of Hawai’i, and I gained such a strong appreciation for the distinct culture that I knew little about before going on the trip. The experiences I shared with the other members of my group and bonding that the guides fostered created connections stronger than I ever could have imagined. The connections I made left me feeling supported, appreciated, and with new friendships that will last for years to come. I didn’t believe that a 9 day trip could become such an impactful experience, but my time traveling with GIVE truly did.