WHY?

YUSUF C - I signed up because this trip will be an opportunity to mature and to develop a richer sense of understanding about the places and people around me. It'll be a chance to befriend and learn from both my travel companions and the citizens of the Dominican Republic. I'll be able to experience a new climate and culture with all five senses and convey my experiences to my family afterwards. Since this is my first plane ride alone, it will be the starting step towards being confident and comfortable in independence. No one will remind me to remember something, or speak for me. I'll have to be my own person, and will be forced out of my comfort zone socially and mentally. Most likely, this trip will push me to my limit, but that's the point. Growth is through discomfort and struggle.

ALINA - Last year, when I was at a MYNA camp in Virginia, one of the speakers, Vaden Earl, came and spoke about his story. He talked about helping the less fortunate and shared his personal connection with the Dominican Republic. I was inspired by the thought of dedicating my time to help the less fortunate. I could picture myself being a part of something that could help change someone’s life for the better. That same night, I called up my parents and told them I wanted to apply for this Xperience Humaniti trip. These past weeks, the thought of actually going to the Dominican Republic without my parents seems surreal, and I can't wait to finally experience it.