Life is about living fully, caring about others, and promoting universal values, such as acceptance, love, and interpersonal connections. That is why it is powerful to be connected to people and help them. I believe that having a large-scale experience and acquiring critical thinking skills is the key to recognizing the commonalities of the world’s people and understanding their differences. These realizations are an effective way to promote tolerance, peace, and reject prejudices and apathies. I came to Indianapolis with a positive attitude to serve the community and learn more about this city’s culture. I found that I am learning more about myself. By being close to everyone in our team I recognized that I am spending precious time with great human beings who have wonderful life stories behind them. We are nine leaders participating in this immersion trip. Throughout talking, chilling, and sharing daily details I learned a lot from everyone in this new family. I hope this friendship will last forever.
Our trip to Indianapolis helped me be aware of what is going on in the community and become a more conscious global citizen. As an international student, I feel the necessity to give back to my host community and I truly believe that understanding social problems and being involved decreases these issues. Through the social problems class that I took this semester, I gained a better understanding of homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, etc. However, this immersion trip gave me the opportunity to step out of the classroom and make a difference. Our main focus is at risk youth; we worked with institutions and systems, like Tear Down the Walls, Rebuild the Wall, Wheeler Ministry, and Dat House. One of the most memorable moments where I thought I made a difference in someone’s life was when I was writing children’s name in my native language and a wonderful little girl asked me to teach her how to write in Arabic, she told me that one day she will study Arabic.
I am deeply convinced that everyone in this world can be threatened by these social difficulties. We are all human beings; we feel pain and happiness in the same way. That is why if we do not help people surpass their miserable situations and do what it takes to get by, we give up our humanity. Each one of us has an individual approach to make positive changes. Money is not all what those who has vulnerable situations need. They need respect, care, and compassion. If we walk in the shoes of abused people, we can definitely feel them, understand them, and most of all help them find a reason to smile and redefine their perception of themselves. Being connected to those who have been thrown away, knowing their names, learning their stories, and establishing a relationship with them will change our perspective of volunteering.
The spring break immersion trip is a life-changing stimulating educational experience. It is not only a way to serve the well-being of the community but also a good opportunity to be immersed in the American culture and explore its various aspects. The leadership and organizational skills that I have acquired left a positive impact on who I am. I will have the honor to apply the skills that I have learn in this trip in order to be a well-rounded individual who can contribute positively in promoting volunteer work and improving the situation of my country Tunisia when I return.