More Than A Book by Rebecca

More Than A Book by Rebecca - November 2017 Scholarship Essay

My parents always taught me the importance of experiencing new things. As a child, I spent most of my time with my nose in a book. I loved to read about faraway places full of fascinating people. Often times, my mom or dad would encourage me to look up from my book and see the world passing by outside the car or bedroom window. Although money was tight, my parents would save up spare change so we could take trips to places of diversity. They felt strongly we learn more from experiencing cultures than from reading about them in a book. I hope to continue this throughout my life and during my college career. I plan to study abroad for part of my college education and continue to learn about

As a 14-year-old, my parents allowed me to travel to the hills of Western Guatemala with a group of students to build stoves in people’s homes. I saw firsthand the poverty and dangerous conditions these beautiful people lived in. They had dirt floors with open fire pits in the middle of their homes and little ventilation. This caused breathing issues for children and was a safety hazard. We came with supplies to build simple concrete block ovens with ventilation into their roofs. The smiles and appreciation of each family were easy to interpret despite the language barrier.

A year later, I had the opportunity to go to Ensenada, Mexico with another group and help at a Refugee Camp and Orphanage. I learned to use power tools and complete small construction projects like digging ditches, pouring concrete, and sanding and staining doors. The children I met were joyful and precious.

Through traveling, I learned money has very little to do with happiness. I have met people from other parts of the world living in very difficult circumstances. Despite these circumstances, I witnessed joy and kindness. I am grateful to my parents for allowing me to see this firsthand. This isn’t something I would ever learn from a book. I hope to continue this throughout my life and during my college career. I plan to study abroad for part of my college education and continue to learn about different cultures and people of the world. Traveling the world opened my eyes and I look forward to