I came to this trip expecting to do construction work and teach kids English. Instead, I ended up bonding with my team members over construction work and connecting with the kids. My expectations for the trip were to work on building a house, teach kids, and be done. However, as the week progressed I experienced more than just moving bricks, sifting sand, and filling blocks with concrete.

I continued to chat with everyone I worked with and the work blended into the background as we continued to bond. Meeting the family that was going to live in the house also really opened my eyes to what the trip was really about. Then seeing all of the enthusiastic children we were going to teach also made me realize that I wasn’t just going to be telling kids how to speak English. I was going to be caring for them and help them live better lives through teaching English.

As the week progressed, I reflected on what I was doing. During the nightly meetings, it challenged me to think about what I was getting out of this trip. I started to realize that my team members were becoming my family and that I truly wanted better for the kids that I was teaching. I thought of building the house less as work but more as helping a family in need and this motivated me throughout the week. And teaching the kids was an experience I never want to forget. They were all so passionate about learning and I cared for them more and more every day.

I never expected any of this to happen during this trip but I think that going to El Salvador was one of the best decisions of my life. Despite all the hard work involved I genuinely want to come back again.

<Ulis Jung / Thomas Jefferson 11th grade>