Just like in places all around the world, some people here are not as accepting of outsiders as others. It is always difficult to be around people who do not accept you for who you are, but my host family and new friends always make me feel welcome, cared for and loved. I rely on my host family for support, much like I rely on my family back in America. My foster mom is always here to give me advice when I have a problem and to help me navigate my way around Corozal. I may miss my family and home in America, but I will eventually return--with more stories and new skills!
When I joined the Peace Corps, I knew I had a responsibility to share my story with those around me, so when I received the email to apply to Reach the World, it felt like the perfect opportunity. I am the only member of my family to have ever lived abroad, and doing so has taught me many important life lessons. Now, I look back on my younger years wishing my school had had a program like Reach the World to show me what was possible. So, sharing this experience and the wonderful life I have built as an adult will help me reach more than just the people in my immediate circle of family and friends. The more lives I can touch, the better!
I hope you all are inspired to learn more about the world around you. It is important to share stories, music, culture, history and all the other things that connect us as people. By sharing my journey with you, I hope you can understand that, despite all of our differences, people still experience many of the same emotions, life changes and relationships.
