San Lucas, Guatemala:
I went to Guatemala on volunteer trips two-three weeks for a few years. While in Guatemala we worked with the natives and they showed us their way of working and way of doing things. Many times you hear about people going abroad, doing work, and the natives tearing it down the minute they leave to start over. That's not the case in San Lucas because when you go, you have to be in the mind set that just because it works in America doesn't mean it'll work for them. There is a long history in Guatemala of war and violence because of America and many Guatemalan still are not happy to see Americans. When we venture out into other more rural parts we get a lot of bad stares. The relationship between us and the town we go to (San Lucas) is very good, people are always there helping rebuild the city first from the Civil War, then the volcano, and most recently from the bad mud slides two-three years back that caused so much destruction.
What I learned From Guatemala
What I learned from Guatemala is I will not know the answer 100% of the time. My way of doing things may not be the best way for others, it may even worsen their situation.Someone is always more worse off then you so take the positives in, be happy about the small things in life like a smile or a laugh. Lastly, I learned the importance of going abroad. I learned that connections around the globe is the only way we as a world we continue to exist. After my last trip to Guatemala I decided I wanted to go into a career of helping others abroad because this small little town help me grown in a way that America never would have.
Study Abroad: France, Summer 2015!
This summer I get to participate in the Business School's Study Abroad to Marseille, France form June 24th to July 25th!! I'll update this when school starts but if you're looking before i'm back- Check out all the fun on my study abroad blog! :)