St. Lucia Service Trip

So, I have been back in Virginia for a little over a week and when people ask me about my trip my response is still “It’s sad to be home.” It is just something about St. Lucia that I can’t let go. I sit at work and wish I was in a classroom full of third grade boys or on the beach. I am sure everyone daydreams while they are eat work, but I don’t know how many of them involve St. Lucia. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is that I miss about St. Lucia because I miss way too much.

I miss the laid back atmosphere. I miss being able to say hello to everyone I passed on the street, and get a friendly response. I miss fresh pineapple. I miss how drivers would actually stop traffic to let others car pull out. I miss my third grade boys. I miss Anse La Rey. I miss the friends I made. I even miss living with ten women and two bathrooms.

I think I am starting to get on everyone’s nerves back home because all I talk about is my trip. When I try to explain my experience people look at the trip as a simple vacation. They will never fully understand how it was so much more. Only those people who were a part of this trip can truly know what it was all about. I know I am going to have to let go and accept the fact that I may never return to St. Lucia, but I am holding on to the hope that I will go back one day. Until that day, I will sit at work and reminisce on the days I spent on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.

Words can not really express what this trip has meant to me so far, and I still have a few days left in
St. Lucia. When I heard the phrase service learning I did not know what to expect. Now I know that this phrase not only encompasses providing service to others but it also includes learning about the country you are in and learning about yourself. I have learned how to push myself through exhaustion, heat, and mood swings. Living with ten girls has been both difficult and fun. I feel like I have gained both friends and family.

I also feel like I gained at family at the RC Boys School, where I worked last week. The boys there were so much fun. I got to teach, interact, and even go to the beach with the class. I was amazed at their obedient behavior compared to American schools. Their behavior allowed us all to have a good time and accomplish each of our tasks. One event that touched me was a hike I went on with the whole class. There were 23 third grade boys and around 6 adults who volunteered to make the trek. I was one of those adults who volunteered. You can imagine how challenging and tiring that adventure was. However, it was all worth it to see those boy’s faces once we reached the top of the mountain. By the end of the week I was calling all the kids “my boys” and “my babies”. I couldn’t wait to wake up each morning and see the boy’s smiling faces. I can only hope that our group’s time spent there touched the students as much as it touched me.

I am looking forward to tomorrow. All our hard work at Anse La Rey will be displayed tomorrow night. I can’t wait to see what all the participants have to say at the Word Jam. The girls in my group really impressed me with their talent and they had so much to say. I know that the show will be a hit, and I hope that there is a good turnout.

As my last week in
St. Lucia ends I am both happy and sad. I do miss my home and family, but it was easy to make
St. Lucia my new home and many St. Lucians my new family. I will miss being here and I will never forget what it was like on the most beautiful island in the world.

I am both excited and nervous about going to St. Lucia. First of all I have never flown before. The whole flying thing makes me a little sick to my stomach. I know I will be a pro at flying once the trip is over but I am still worried about the first take off. After I get off of the plane I know that I will do nothing but enjoy myself. I can’t wait to see the beautiful island, especially the water.

The service learning aspect of the trip is going to be a life changing experience. I love kids and I can’t wait to interact with the third graders at the RC Boys School. I look forward to being able to touch the kid’s lives and possibly help them improve their future. I am anxious to leave for St. Lucia. I can’t wait to experience such a different culture. I may just decide to stay and live in St. Lucia.