Last Thursday in the
Pegasus Ballroom, our board had a trip showcase to give those interested the
chance to gain more information about the various trips planned this year by
our lovely and talented group of coordinators. We each worked hard on our
tri-board presentations and the room was buzzing with the excitement and
anticipation of us meeting our possible trip participants.
To say it was
overwhelming is an understatement.
Every minute of those
three hours I was meeting someone new, explaining the many projects we will be
accomplishing on our trip to Guatemala, or manning down tables for my fellow
coordinators who could not stay the entire time.
But despite the
overwhelming amount of people, I was also emotionally overwhelmed. Having
planned this trip months ago with my co-coordinator Julian, the fact that it is
happening still felt surreal. However after meeting interested participants who are just
as passionate about these projects as I am has made it all sink in: my dream
trip is really happening!
Ironically, I was in
the same position as some of these participants a year ago when my ABP journey
first began. I was completely new to the program and all I knew was that I was
desperate to be a part of the trip to the Dominican Republic because I was
eager to work with the kids in the local schools and learn more about
international education reform.
Fortunately I was lucky
enough to snag one of those trip spots and embark on the most powerful,
life-changing journey. Being on that trip made me question what was truly
important in my life and motivated me to do more service when I came back to
the states. But what I experienced also made
me think of how I could teach others, especially my future participants, what I
learned after witnessing how lack of a quality education can affect a nation’s dynamic
and noting how developed countries helping developing countries can change the world
for the better.
I can only imagine the
life-changing experiences that await me on this upcoming trip! I hope to
inspire the same enthusiasm for social change in my participants. I am so
excited to meet them on September 25th at our Lottery Knight! If you
are still on the fence about going on an ABP trip, just go for it. You will be engaged
in amazing experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
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