My-Immersion

My Y-Immersion started last spring break 2007 when I went to New Orleans for hurricane relief work. I was shocked to see that even after a year and a half after the storm the city is still in shambles. Our volunteer work further proved that much help is still needed. We volunteered at a church helping make food packs for displaced New Orleans residents and we also helped do a neighborhood clean up in the ninth ward. Working in the ninth ward was unreal because in some areas there were no houses, just overgrown prairie grasses and trash from the storm that was scattered all over the lots. Participating in this trip really helped me realize that even in our own country there are areas that scarcely resemble a first world country.

From this experience and previous travel experience I decided this year to be a coordinator for the Y-Immersion program and lead my own trip to Costa Rica. I think travelling at this age is the best time to travel because you are young and you can really learn a lot about yourself and your world before you graduate and start working full time. Lots of times time spent abroad will help you determine what you want to do after graduation or help you decide on a major. After graduation in May 2008 I hope to do a lot more travelling and even live abroad for a few years.

I look forward to training many trip leaders this year and look forward to them leading their trips and exposing more young people to important social and environmental issues that often get overlooked in the fast paced environment of college. Y-Immersion a great opportunity that I think everyone should experience.