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Alternative Spring Break Takes Trinity Students to Washington D.C. and Dominican Republic
By Susie P. Gonzalez
Trinity staff Cally Chenault and student Madeleine Moberly with students in the Dominican Republic |
March 2009 – Joining Trinity University’s first international Alternative Spring Break in the Dominican Republic or preparing and sharing a meal at a Washington D.C. homeless shelter proved to be life changing for nearly two dozen Trinity University students and staff.
Benjamin Schwans of Houston came to Trinity thinking he would major in political science. After a week in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic, the first-year student is now considering nursing as a career. Spending a week teaching English to orphans, sleeping with noisy animals outside his window, and performing work projects such as hoeing plantain fields gave him a taste of service – and he says it will not be the last time he travels overseas to extend a helping hand. “It was really rewarding,” Mr. Schwans said.
Kendra Doshier, a first year from Anchorage, Alaska, who plans to major in communication, was reluctant to participate in a Youth Service Opportunities Project that focuses on hunger and homelessness in Washington, D.C. But she was glad she was “talked into it” because, she said, “It opened my eyes.” At one site, the students cooked lasagna for some homeless guests. “It was good,” she laughed. “And we got to sit with them. It was like we were eating among friends.”
Both trips were designed to include education and reflection components, said Edwin Blanton, coordinator for community service & engagement in Trinity’s Office of Campus & Community Involvement. Participants met weekly for seven weeks to become familiar with what they might see during their trip. The Dominican Republic group learned about child development from Pat Norman, associate professor of education at Trinity. In addition, Carlos Ardavin, associate professor of modern languages and literatures who teaches a Trinity course on the Dominican Republic after living there a year, shared what the students could expect culturally and offered a brief Spanish lesson. The Washington contingent received a lesson from Trinity sociology professor John Donahue.
“Both projects fit with the Student Affairs goal of developing responsible global citizens,” Blanton said.
Kelsey Wallace, a first year student from Georgetown, Texas who is considering majoring in economics, and Nicole Heroux, a sophomore from Boston who is majoring in humanities and French, taught English to 5th and 6th graders from the orphanage. “It was amazing,” said Ms. Heroux. “The kids made it worthwhile. You could tell we meant something to them. They were fun to be around.” To communicate, they often sang and focused on teaching simple concepts such as colors, numbers, months, and animals.
Monica Garza, a sophomore from Brownsville who will major in sociology, was pleased to learn she could make money in the field of sociology. Before the trip, she had the idea she could only volunteer to help. “I’m so glad I went,” she said, adding that since she lives near South Padre Island, she could go to the coast any time.
© 2009 Trinity University