Caitlin BlissThis was my first time visiting the South and I learned all about the unique cultural aspects of Louisiana: generous people, amazing jazz, ridiculously good fried food, the "Louisiana left" turns, etc...but I also saw with my own eyes what the media neglects to share with the rest of the United States: that the whole "Katrina thing" is far from being over. Neighborhoods are vacant. Water lines and spray paint marking are everywhere. Schools are abandoned, overflowing with unused school books and computers. It blew my mind that the house next door to our project looked as though the water rose, dropped and not one resident has returned since. I learned that gutting a house is hard, physical, back-braking labor and I also learned how just one house at a time can make such a big impact. I assumed that most native New Orleanians would foster a negative and unwelcoming attitude toward volunteers (who are these Californians? how do they know what we've been through?) but I soon found out that most New Orleanians have the opposite attitude: thankfulness, because their beloved city is being built on the foundation of love from strangers. 
Jennifer MockThe immersion trip to West Virginia focused on learning about the environmental, social and economic issues that affect the Appalachian population and perpetuate its state of rural poverty. We were challenged to immerse in Appalachian culture and in the process grew as conscious individuals learning a compassion for the people of West Virginia. Our group learned about the coal industry, hiked around the mountains, met people living in the surrounding area, worked on projects around local farms, and reflected on our own lifestyles and how we could bring back what we learned to Santa Clara. Before I went on the trip, the extent of my knowledge of West Virginia was its status as an economically poor region in the Appalachian Mountains. The immersion trip was an amazing opportunity to increase my knowledge of the area and hear personal stories about living in the Appalachians. We were inspired and touched by the kindness and generosity of the people we met, and it's something we will never forget. 
Juliana CummingsWhen we arrived in Nogales, Mexico, seeing the physical border wall was a powerful image. We stayed in a community house and at homestays where we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture; and met with church groups, government organizations, non-governmental organizations, and migrants themselves to understand why people are leaving Mexico, why they are coming to the US, the experience of crossing the border, etc. These people’s faces and stories will be in our hearts and minds forever because we were all deeply affected by everyone we met. At the end of the trip we realized what the majority of American's think about undocumented immigrants and their situation by only the governmental definition of law, but what about the moral law? What about the fact that hundreds of people are dying in the desert because of dehydration? Families are being split up because the extreme poverty in their home state leaves them unable to put food on the table? Is that lawful? This experience raised many questions, but more than anything it put a much needed face to the idea of immigration. 
Talia BenderWe walked down a rocky, slippery steep path with the only light coming from the moon, stars, blinking fireflies and the lightening that thundered across the sky as the rain poured down, soaking me to the very core. As I walked down the slippery path, with immense foliage on each side of me and rain blurring my vision I felt so amazingly refreshed. Here I was at the base of a volcano surrounded by so much beauty--I had never felt so alive! But the beauty of the countryside of El Salvador was no match for the beauty of its people. They genuinely opened their hearts, shared their lives, laughed with us and accepted us without judgment. I witnessed their struggles and impoverished standards of living, but more importantly they taught me about love, strength, family and faith. I left a piece of my heart in that remarkable place and I carry those memories as a daily reminder of how to live my life each day. |
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