Trip of a Lifetime

Unknown of what the future could hold, I embarked on a trip that would ultimately change my life. 14 days, no phones, 21 students, 4 adults, and the mountains of Constanza, Dominican Republic. Although every student was coming from a different background, we had one thing in common: we had all applied to go on this trip, meaning that we all wanted to experience something new. I initially signed up for this trip because I wanted to speak Spanish, meet people, and help out communities in need (as it is a service trip). I had no idea of how impactful this trip could give be in my life.
Day 1 it felt like we were all little kids again, arriving at our accommodations and immediately running to the sports field with a playground. Each day forward we continued to bond, not only with each other, but with the community. We visited a community in Rio Grande, and I met a young girl who I practiced my Spanish with and played with for hours. I stood there looking around at all 21 of us smiling and running around, making all of the little kids squeal with excitement.
The highlight of my trip was "Big Love". Each night at a meeting where we reflected on our day and learned about the activities of tomorrow we ended with an opportunity to share appreciation for a person in the group. A big aspect of this activity was that everyone leaned in with enthusiasm, not caring if we sat there for 30 minutes, raising hands again and again to make sure people knew how much they were helping us. In this setting I could be unapologetically myself, and it felt like the first time I could relax without feeling social pressure.
The daily activities (working at a cucumber factory, dance classes, history city tours, etc) inspired me to want to see the world, learn about different cultures, and stretch my comfort zone. We ended the trip with our Community Action Project (CAP) where we poured concrete for the floor of 3 houses. Even if we were interrupted by the rain, we didn't let that diminish our spirits. We wanted to give back to this community in any way we could because they showed us how much love a place can hold.
It is hard to put into words what Global Glimpse taught me because I feel like a new person since returning home. I gained empathy, agency and global perspective. I am more confident in myself, curious about the world, and inspired to help others in my community and across the world.