a volunteer experience I've been involved in, and a lesson learned from it. by Daphne

a volunteer experience I've been involved in, and a lesson learned from it. by Daphne - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

One way that I took advantage of a significant educational opportunity was during my summer of 8th grade. This was when I had the privilege to take a cultural immersions trip to Nicaragua. I went with a group of kids from my school. This is a trip that I will never forget because I learned three important things. I learned about another culture from my own, how to be more appreciative, and how a small action can make a big impact.

While I was in Nicaragua, I had the opportunity to spend a day in the capitol Managua. When I was there, I was able to have a new experience. We visited museums, an outdoor market, and got to meet different people from Managua. Immersing myself in the Nicaraguan community taught me how to be more open minded. I learned about how people live in a different country and new perspectives on how they see the world around them.

Then, I helped build a watering well for a school. The primary school that we visited was the only one in the large community. There were many kids that had to walk many miles just to attend school. Although these children didn’t have much, they were still grateful to be getting an education. This experience taught me how to be more appreciative of the things that I have.

Finally, I learned how much of an impact we made with our small actions. When we built the small watering well, we made it easier for the kids to get water during a hot day. We may not have fixed the education system in Nicaragua in the two weeks, but what we were able to accomplish left an impact on these kids’ lives. We gave them hope for a better future. The language and cultural barrier didn’t stop us from helping this small school in this community of Nicaragua.

In conclusion, the tip I took to Nicaragua is one that I will never forget. This trip allowed me to make an impact on other people and impacted me when I left. I came back home more open-minded, appreciative, and ready to change the world as best I could.