A summer in the Dominican Republic can teach many things to a student in high school. A few examples are the appreciation of air conditioning, carpet, and having a non-inflatable pillow. In my experience I learned much more valuable lessons. I learned to love my Mother and Father back in the United States more than I could ever love any other person because I went without my parents for over 2 months. I learned true camaraderie with another man, despite being from opposite coasts of the United States and being fundamentally different just because of the environments in which we grew up. Keaton and I successfully survived as Americans in a foreign country deep in the mountains in a community that had never seen Americans before much less white people. My experience was a lot of highs and lows that reshaped my feelings and thoughts on my life and on my community. I now wish to illustrate a few life changing experiences I endured in the Dominican Republic.
Challenges faced in country
Amigos de las Americas is very successful in shaping young Americans for reasons that are hard to explain, but my person belief is that the success derives from placing young, developing minds in situations where problem solving is very important and crucial. When I problem solved, I got to experience many different roles in which I could be successful. One of the first issues I faced was discovering that my partner’s Spanish level was substantially lower than mine. I would describe this instance as a challenge because I had to keep that fact in mind when we were giving camps to little kids and always had to help him improve his Spanish. In this role I experienced a feeling of being an example. In one of our camps for example, he knew enough Spanish to get the children started on their cards for their fathers for the Dia de los Padres, but he could not control them once they all began zealously working. I had to step in and spend half an hour trying to settle everyone down and then clean up effectively.
My Heavenly Host Family
The most unique experience that an Amigo faces is the opportunity to live with a family for a full 2 months, an experience that cannot successfully be replicated by another program. My host family was an always changing body which began with a full house and then shrunk as the summer went on. I started with my incredible host brother January who on the first evening in community pulled me aside and told me that he would always be there for me as long as he was in Jorgillo. My mom spent most of the time talking to me and over explaining every aspect of Dominican language, culture, and cuisine. My favorite memory was making cookies with my host mom, Deina, who made fun of me repeatedly for my inexperience frying cookies. My father, Sergio, spent most of the two months teaching me to dance and always making me laugh. Jaler, my 8-year-old brother, spent many nights playing army with me and always sparring with fake weapons. My host family was my favorite part of the trip.
La Piedra de la Mesa
My favorite experience was a trip to La Piedra de La Mesa. La Piedra is a huge rock which forms a natural table formation resting between the two large mountains where we were living. The view was majestic, breathtaking, and magical, looking out over a natural ravine where the stone lays. I traveled for 2 hours hiking over substantially rough terrain filled with rocks until I finally reached the table. I was with Socrate, Keaton, Joel, Andy, Solfie, January, Rubelki, and Adonny, or all of my best friends in Jorgillo. I cannot wait to talk to all of them as the years pass.
I would like to extend a great thanks to the Wilson Family for playing a huge role in changing my life through this foreign experience. Huge thanks also are extended to the Language teachers at Montgomery Bell Academy especially Mr. Gaither, Dr. Gaffney, and Senor Kamm for preparing me for such a grueling, rewarding trip. I appreciate all the support and help. As they say in the Dominican Republic, My little Angel will always be watching over everyone who supported me through this experience.
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