I never traveled to Latin America before, nor have I ever been part of a service-learning program outside of the United States. The CCESP will be my first time traveling to a foreign country (besides Pakistan when I was merely 4 years old) and I am excited for the challenge soak in the experiences I will be exposed to. Even though I have never traveled outside the country, I live in a city that has individuals from all over the globe. Approximately 70% of Miami’s population is part Hispanic or Latino. That being said, for my high school’s service clubs, I have coordinated several volunteer projects around Miami’s most diverse districts. I have much to learn in Nicaragua, but I realized that the mindset going into a project can drastically change the outcome. When trying to be part of any volunteering/service program, having an “open but cautious” mind can strengthen the experience greatly. Many cultures have their own formalities, greetings, manners, style of dress, etc. Latin American culture is no exception to this. Being exposed to these differences through participating in service projects in Hispanic regions of South Florida, getting to the know the families of my Hispanic friends, and being surrounded by Latin arts has been constantly humbling. It emphasizes the fact that one will never know everything. There are always going to moments to learn more and to reaffirm that we may sometimes live in our bubble. Even though I am slightly worried about being able to assimilate to Nicaraguan culture successfully for the trip, I am eager to begin and submersing myself in a new atmosphere.

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