Reflection Paper On Dominican Republic - 819 Words

Dominican Republic Reflection I thought going back to the Dominican Republic for a second year would feel like being the parents on Christmas morning: you get to watch everyone else’s reaction to the stuff you’ve already seen, and you just get to sit back and help throw away the wrapping paper. I thought I had, in a way, already had my transformative moment; I was there to see my Dominican friends again, to help my HGP friends experience the trip, and to do some good for the people of the Dominican Republic. Most of the week felt that way. I was still bonding and having fun with the kids, but it definitely felt like I was there to help more than to experience. I felt more emotionally protected, and it wasn’t until I was saying goodbye†¦show more content†¦It’s not something that can be quantified; I can’t show you pictures of all the houses we built, or of the rainwater ditch we dug. I don’t even think saying that the trip was life-c hanging does it justice, because the whole concept of â€Å"life-changing† is pretty clichà ©. After all, how could just two weeks in a country really â€Å"change your life?† Again, you kind of have to be there. So what makes this trip so unique? What’s the takeaway? What did I really learn? Well for one, I can say that I have so much interest in and respect for Hispanic and especially Dominican culture. Hospitality, acceptance, kindness, and a welcoming smile are things that are certainly lacking in the states. It may seem insignificant, but there’s something special about walking past a stranger, and not having to put your head down, make a stern face, and continue in a straight line. But I think the bigger lesson to learn, though, involves poverty and inequality of opportunity. Two years ago, I could have pulled up tons of statistics about poverty, and how poor the majority of the world is. The conditions that some people live under are really just c ruel, but it’s not the hut made from the leaves that’s the cruel thing; it’s our big houses, luxury cars, and designer clothes. Father Don said, â€Å"Poverty isn’t when someone has no shoes and has to look to a superior to ask for shoes; poverty is when they ask, and the superiors don’t give them anything.† This really stuck with me. Poverty isn’tShow MoreRelatedReflection Paper On Cultural Immersion1732 Words   |  7 PagesCultural Immersion Reflection Paper Growing up as a Caucasian American Jewish girl living in Brooklyn in the 1950s, Puerto Rico was this magical island in a far away land where rich people would vacation and honeymoon. Puerto Rico was a fantasy world island just the way the theme parks in Orlando are a fantasy getaway. 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