CASEY
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
CASEY
Elementary Education Undergraduate |
“The quickest way to acquire self-confidence, is to do exactly what you are afraid to do.” (2/4/19)2/4/2019 It’s been a little over a week since our return home from the Dominican Republic, and all I’ve wanted since we landed in Buffalo…is to go right back! If you ask anyone that’s seen me over this past week, they will tell you that I’ve said “I just want to be back in the Dominican!” at LEAST twice a day. The last time that I went to the DR, I was extremely ready to come home on the day that we left. I had missed my friends and my family, and I was feeling really homesick and ready to be back in my own house. Although I was excited this time around to see my friends and family, I wasn’t really feeling homesick on the day we left. Once we got off the plane, I was immediately happy to see my mom and my boyfriend at the airport, and I was happy knowing that I’d see the rest of my friends and family throughout the week. However, after I saw everyone, showed all of my pictures from the trip, and talked about the amazing things that we did and accomplished while we were away, I found myself ready to hop back on a plane, and head back down to the DR!
I was fortunate enough to have gone on this trip before back in 2017, but this time was different. Like I said in my first blog, I was very nervous for this trip, especially because I was going to be doing it “alone,” since I wouldn’t have my friend Shannon there with me. When we landed in the DR on that first Tuesday, I was very sleep-deprived from my nerves keeping me awake the whole night before travel, so I had a really tough time accepting the fact that I had decided to go on this trip again, would be away from home for almost three weeks, and would have to figure it out “alone.” But that, being “alone,” didn’t end up being the case at all. Tamara, Wendy, and my eight other cohorts that went on this journey with me, were honestly some of the best and most supportive people I have ever met. Everyone worked together when there were problems that needed to be solved, everyone was there for each other when they needed it, and I think everyone helped each other make the most of our time in the DR. I knew that if I was feeling anxious and stressed, or just down about something, I could walk into B2 or C5, or even stay in my own house, and find someone to cheer me up. If you can believe it, this trip was even better for me than the first time. The first time I went on this trip, I had an amazing group of people there with me as well, so they made my first time away from home SO special. We all worked together very well, and were there for each other when we really needed it. So, I think that this time around, the reason I had an even more life-changing experience, was because of myself. It took a few days to adjust, but after that, I have never felt as happy, confident, and ready for any new experience that life wanted to throw my way, until I went on this trip. I don’t want to sound like one of those cliché people that say “My life is forever changed because I studied abroad!”…but it is. It’s true. I can’t think of enough good things to say about this program that Buffalo State has created, and I feel so honored that I was able to experience it not just once, but twice. I will be forever grateful that I was able to go on this physical journey to the DR, but also on my journey towards self-worth, self-confidence, and finding value in the things that I can do, and lives I can change through teaching. So, even though we were “only” there for two and a half weeks, I miss the Dominican Republic so much. I miss waking up every morning to a beautiful sunrise, hearing “Hola!” from each one of my cohorts as we saw each other every morning, teaching an amazing group of Pre-K students, experiencing new things, making new friends and lasting memories, and feeling on top of the world, every day! So, although Buffalo was ever so kind as to greet us with open arms with freezing temperatures and -30 degree wind-chills, I am happy to be home (at least a little bit 😉). Since we had two snow days last week, I finally get to start my Graduate classes, and substitute teaching, this week! I am so eager and excited to get back to work, and see where these new challenges take me!
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AuthorHello! My name is Casey, and I just graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education. I had the pleasure of studying abroad in the Dominican Republic in January of 2017, which was an absolutely amazing experience! I am so excited to have been given yet another opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of education, while simultaneously exploring the beautiful culture of the Dominican Republic, once again. When we return at the end of January, I will be starting my Master’s program with Buffalo State, majoring in Curriculum and Instruction, with a minor in Early Childhood Education. ArchivesCategories |