Journey to Honduras

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After two consecutive years of alternative spring breaks, this was the year I was going to be a “normal” college student and head to Florida. That didn’t happen after an overwhelming urge to speak Spanish. I mentioned this desire to a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary at Catholic Campus Ministry and she hooked me up with an application and a month I was accepted in the program.

I stumbled upon this trip because of my desire to go to a Hispanic country, but the trip packs much more of a punch. A group of 16 are in the mountains of Comayagua, Honduras to work in orphanages, nursing homes and to bring Catholic Mass to villages that only have the opportunity once or twice a year.

As much as I would like to say this is just for the people, I am excited for all I can do! I will be hiking the majestic mountains of Honduras, taking only a backpack to each village and growing closer to students across the country who have the same desire to grow in faith, self-knowledge and service.

One hard to digest requirement of this trip was fundraising. I had a fundraising coach who talked up my confidence to write family and friends to support my trip. The response was huge! I was able to raise enough money for my trip!

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Although asking people for money feels awkward, you are giving others an opportunity to serve monetarily if they can’t go physically. So next time you think volunteering comes at too high a cost look into fundraising. You could end up giving back in somewhere you never thought you would be!

To look more into the mission trip I am on go to:

http://focusmissions.org/honduras/

Beyond the Norm: Alternative Spring Breaks

Teaching in Cruz Verde, Dominican Republic! Spring Break 2012

Teaching in Cruz Verde, Dominican Republic! Spring Break 2012

Are you turned off from the raging college spring break? Does the sand between your toes gross you out? Are you searching for an outside of the box vacation? An alternative spring breaks sound like your next travel plan.

Alternative Spring Breaks give you an opportunity to go somewhere new, help others and force you to go outside of your comfort zone to learn about yourself.  There are a range of international and domestic trips to decide from.

International trips allow you to go to exotic countries without being a tourist. It is a full immersion into local culture by living with host families or in small towns or villages where they may not speak English. Time is well spent by serving others in what the program requires you to do. Life altering changes for the community may not be achieved in the week you are there, but you show that you care and the value of one person.  The perspective shift you gain from being in an unfamiliar cultural situation will change your thinking in a beautiful way.

Working in a soup kitchen in Camden, New Jersey! Spring Break 2013

Working in a soup kitchen in Camden, New Jersey! Spring Break 2013

Adventure within our own country expounds from domestic spring breaks. Domestic trips are eye opening experiences to see the poverty within our own countries as well as view the rainbow for subcultures in the United States contains. These trips tend to be cheaper with less travel costs and more familiar knowledge of government and general customs. Although the shock factor of another country’s culture isn’t present, looking at issues and attitudes under the red, white, and blue will leave you changed.

You can find more information on alternative spring breaks on your university’s website. Many other external solutions are to be found on the web and organizations you are a part of. Just browse! Some sites I found are:

Crossculturalsolutions.org

Breakadifference.org

Globalcitizen.org

Find your niche in where you want to go, how you want to serve and dare to do something outside of everyday travel!