INDIA SERVICE TRIP 2017

During my last year of high school when I was at a Toronto Catholic District School Board leadership meeting, I discovered an incredible opportunity being offered to go abroad and volunteer. One opportunity that specifically grabbed my attention was the India Service Trip, a 17-day trip offered in March of that year to go to India and visit elementary schools to assist in teaching and event planning. I knew this kind of experience would increase my perspective of the world while allow me to learn about other cultures and issues. One of my greatest goals in life is to help as many people as I can, especially those in need, and to do this I knew I had to learn more about the world. The trip cost around $4000 CAD, but this did not stop me at all. With my goal in mind I started on a 1-month fundraising quest, where I spoke to teachers, mentors, family, and friends. I ended up raising $3000 from people that believed in me, my goal, and the value this trip would bring to me and those around me. 

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I had the privilege of traveling to Kolkata, Siliguri, Darjeeling, New Delhi, and Agra where I experienced a rich culture with many incredible sights. The gift that this trip gave me was all the beautiful children I got to tutor, play with, and talk to from the three schools I visited. I taught a chemistry class to students aged 10-13, specifically about the phases of all matter on Earth, and even conducted an experiment where we made slime! Furthermore, I got the chance to tutor kids in English and Math and was gifted a wonderful picture one student made for me. My group and I hosted Play days for whole schools where we split the students into teams and led them through various activities, all the time creating and inspiring a motivating and fun team dynamic. I went to India with the intention of doing something good for the kids I was going to meet, but alas, it was them that did something for me. I have never been so aware of the strength of the human spirit, the things that are important, and the power of human connection and communication. My goal is to help others, especially those in need, and I will continue to find a way to do this through the field I find most excitement in, Mechanical Engineering.  

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Note: Check out the vlog I made below about this trip!