Sometimes when you set out to help others, you in turn see many positive changes in yourself. In a place unlike any other I have ever been, I definitely found this to be true.

The summer before my senior year of high school, I was looking for something to do. After discussing with my mom about wishing to help some people (I admit resume building was a second smaller, yet still driving factor) we began to research. Pretty quickly, we found a wide array of options to give aid all around the world. As this was our first experience, we figured we should choose some place that wasn’t halfway across the world. We also were cognizant of where would require vaccinations, extra shots, or other safeguards that made some places seem a little too much for the trip. All of this led us to the Dominican Republic.

When most Americans think of the D.R, they think of beautiful white beaches, resorts, and the “nice” half of the island that is shared with Haiti. For the majority of the citizens, this is not what they see. While I have not been to Haiti, and therefore cannot compare, the Dominican is in rough shape. The water is not drinkable, the government’s corruption has led to a litany issues, and the entire area – apart from the resorts filled with tourists – is in abject poverty. Meanwhile, the people are some of the most kind, generous, and happy people I have ever met. It seems that in a place with so much hardship, the people have made a concerted effort to not be defeated.

After choosing the D.R, we made plans, booked flights, and got ready to go. We decided to take a college visit to the University of Miami on the way there as we would be flying out of Miami anyway. From the time I walked out of the Miami International Airport until walking back in about 2 weeks later, I am not sure if I ever stopped sweating. Miami was one thing, but our flight into Santo Domingo brought the heat to a-whole-nother level!

My mom and I walked out into the terminal just hoping that we would find our group of fellow volunteers. We had just paid a good chunk of change to a company online for lodging, food, and transportation – not to mention plane tickets. But as much as we felt this group was legitimate, we could just as easily have been scammed.

We caught site of a group of people in t-shirts which matched ours and immediate relief swept over us. Over the next week, we came to know every one of these wonderful people very well. We slept under the same roof, ate together, and sweated together – a ton! Apart from this, we sang, danced, and rejoiced together.

The locals from the D.R. were overjoyed to host us. Our huge task of working on a school for the local children of Santo Domingo brought us together through some back-breaking labor in the hot, moist sun of the school’s courtyard. But the breaks were filled with talking, laughter, and love being shared between our American culture and the Dominican one.

It has been about 7 years since this trip, but I still think about it often. These were truly some of my happiest times! The friends made and help given are lasting reminders of our shared humanity. One of the most moving parts of this trip was when one of the kids who we had interacted with throughout the week (named Alex, a great name if I do say so myself!;) ) offered me half of his sandwich. Alex was unbelievably skinny, and certainly needed the food much more than I did. I thanked him, but told him “no,” as I turned away, fighting back tears of appreciation and awe for this little boy.

Why is it so often that the people with the least are willing to share so lovingly? After this trip, I have always tried to do my best to help others: especially those who are less fortunate. If you are not doing this yet, I urge you to travel some more around the world, and see how alike we all are. All we want is to be happy, to be loved, and to share some of what we have with friends new and old.