Past Experiences
PAST TRIPS AND EXPERIENCES
“ASB is a wonderful opportunity for anyone at any age…This experience made me appreciate the environment more and challenged me to think more about the U.S. government and their role with other territories and countries. I learned more about Puerto Rican culture, and I even picked up a few Spanish words.” –2006 El Yunque participant
“I learned that I am not afraid to do things that I am unfamiliar with. I used to be scared to do things when I didn’t know anyone. Well, I went on this trip knowing no one and had an amazing time leaving with 22 new friends.” -2006 New Orleans participant
“I expected to learn about Honduran culture and see the country. My expectations were met and the trip was above and beyond what I was hoping for…I learned that I am a very small part of an enormous world, but I can still find ways to help and to make an impact on people.” -2006 Honduras participant
“I learned to not only appreciate my surroundings at home, but gained a great respect for the Native American culture. I also learned to trust myself and take a risk, because sometimes it’s surprising how much one person can contribute.” -2006 South Dakota participant
“To bring people together from all different backgrounds with different motives for going on the trip was a large task. It is hard to define and impossible to plan for but somewhere throughout that week-long journey you grow these great friendships.” -2006 Staten Island, NY participant
“I expected to learn about the Jamaican culture while also making a difference throughout the community…I learned that you have to go into other cultures with an open mind in order to truly experience the culture.” -2006 Jamaica participant
“I wanted to travel somewhere for spring break but still be productive and help people. This experience put some aspects of my life that I was upset about back into perspective by reminding me that there are people in the world who are happy with much less than I have.” -2006 Pennsylvania participant
“I learned I have a certain compassion for people placed in circumstances that are far less than ideal, and I was able to put myself in their position which makes me even more open to helping others. I learned how there are people out there who are committed and for one reason or another not afraid to attempt to stop things like AIDS and are still taking steps in the right direction. The commitment and enthusiasm was amazing even though they have probably lost people in the fight.” -2006 San Francisco participant
“The most positive part of my group’s experience was realizing that we really were making a difference in the lives of the women at the shelter. It didn’t really start out like that, but by the end of the week we could see the changes in the women (only after four days) and we knew…simply knew that what we were doing was amazing!” -2006 Queretaro participant