This is my last day in Paraguay. Today we are traveling back to the United States and it feels like we just landed in Paraguay yesterday! While I am very sad to be leaving my new friends and family that I have made, I am excited to see all my friends and family back home. Before we left on the trip Chris Cole, LearnServe’s intern and ambassador, told us about his experience after coming back from his trip to Zambia; he said that he saw the United States in a different way. He said that he couldn’t continue to be friends with some people because he noticed things about them that he did not notice before. I worry that I will experience the same type of realization when I get back to the United States. I don’t think that this will happen just based on how well I know my friends and their awareness of others’ experiences, but the possibility is always there.
I am most excited to see my little brother. I haven’t been away from him for more than 3 or 4 days and this was a much longer time. I was initially worried about him and how he would do by himself but when I called him he seemed great! He was the responsible older brother to my younger siblings rather than a little brother to me. I was relieved! This time away gave me a glimpse into the future when I go off to college in a couple of years.
This trip not only taught me a lot regarding myself and how I operate in new and different environments but also how my family and friends operate with such a drastic change like my being away. This trip has definitely affected my perception of my own life, my community, as well as the people with whom I surround myself. I learned that despite scary or stressful situations, I can persevere and keep the main goal in mind; this allows me to focus more on what we are doing to help other people rather than the conflicts we have with people. Throughout my life this experience will forever be in my memory, affecting my decisions and viewpoints for the rest of my life. Che Rohayhu Paraguay!! (“I love Paraguay” in Guarani)
Morgan M., Northwood High School