Post Trip

Getting back into the swing of things was tough. Aside from the change of 80 degree weather to 30 degree weather, the change to going back to a regular more structured schedule was tough. I left like I was being complacent with the way society works and the system. And I had a great fear that I might cave into these old routines and behaviors and rewire my brain from thinking so intensely on what I could do for the people of Puerto Rico and the world to now when am I going to find the time to gas up my car. It took some intensive thinking to make me realize that when the semester starts again, I’ll be getting closer to my very goal of helping others including the people of Puerto Rico. This trip resonated with me for so many reasons. One of the biggest reasons was that I’m studying towards my degree in civil Engineering and have focused a lot on renewable energy resources. While I was at Iceland, an island that runs nearly 100% on renewable energy resources, I was amazed by the possibilities. While I was at Puerto Rico, an island that runs nearly 0% on renewable energy resources, I was amazed at the possibilities. This trip connected those 2 experiences and opened a new door of where my future can take me. 

Overall, this trip was exactly what I needed to kick off the final semester of my undergraduate career. I was challenged to intensely think about social, political and economic issues affecting the island as a whole. I was challenged to bond as much as I could with the senior class I wasn’t originally part of. I was also challenged to grow as this is the last trip I’lll have in which I’ll take in a group as an undergrad. And I met all those challenges with great success. I’m excited that later today I’ll be meeting with a lobbyist who works within the renewable energy field and I can’t wait to talk to him about my experiences. I can’t wait to be able to continue thinking critically and reflecting on the work as well as what I can do when I graduate and even now during present time. 

This was an amazing trip with amazing staff. The staff really made a difference in how the  trip ran. Sam made us reflect intensely as someone who not only knows Puerto Rico as home but knows Trenton as home. Teressa who encouraged us to keep going and tackle the service work even when it was tough and really did double as Mom from how much she cares. Raj who pushed to engage as much as he could with us in all activities along with reflecting. And of course Nani, who really challenged us to think, serve and love. Her energy, kindness and welcomeness cannot be matched. Overall all chaperones worked together to make sure we always had something engaging, thoughtful and exciting to do which I very much appreciate. The best feeling to end this trip is the fact I know this won’t be my last time going to Puerto Rico.