A Transformative Summer

These past two months have been nothing short of transformative. I started nearly every morning with a home-cooked Palestinian breakfast and sat with my fellow volunteers, where we talked about everything from our lives back home to our plans for the week. After breakfast, clean-up was a group effort, and playful banter filled the kitchen as the cleaning was done. The community created over the breaking of bread shares an unbreakable bond that I know each of us is the better for. A huge part of our experience is shaped by the work that we do, but equally important are the friendships and bonds we create with each other as we return to our daily lives and attempt to integrate the lessons we learned back home. I had the privilege of attending community events, tutoring people of all ages and backgrounds, and immersing students in life at the Center, along with getting an unparalleled German language education with Muaz, an incredible teacher. The entire team is incredibly dedicated and kind, truly willing to go the extra mile. This experience has undoubtedly made me a better, more open-minded person ready to tackle whatever comes next.