Paris is like that first love that will always hold your heart. You two can fall easily back into each other’s arms, where everything comes quickly, lasts long, and feels right. Canada is like that guy from your hometown that you paw around every once in a while just to feel alive, or to remember … Continue reading
In light of my upcoming time in Greece with a group of 145 students, 11 other staff and myself, I’ve been thinking about what has made my past travel groups some of the best communities of which I have ever been a part. The way we recognize the members of our community shows a lot … Continue reading
Often on school trips, both at high school and university level, the students are treated as unskilled laborours. This is true with the Dialogue of Civilizations programs, Alternative Spring Break, and pretty much any trip that involves volunteering. What is up with that? College students are NOT unskilled. Especially if you take into account where … Continue reading
When I was in Egypt, we often joked that we were in Fake Africa. When asked if I had ever been to Africa before Benin, I would say yes and explain Egypt, which elicited much doubt. I was told, in one way or another, that Egypt didn’t count, or wasn’t really Africa because it was: … Continue reading
You should always bring some of the clothes you love and rely on (Nellie) but should also buy/bring some basic stuff you don’t mind giving away (Rhiannon) Of course, don’t be “that guy” who just gives away all their broken/dirty junk: give away the things you love, and it’ll come back to you (Deirdre) Just … Continue reading
Travel Delia is way cooler than home Delia–sorry for those of you who only see home delia! When I’m away, I think critically, but I’m also more laid back about obstacles and delays. I’m thrilled to sit in a crowded train station on a hot Egyptian night, people watching, reading and soaking it all in. … Continue reading
During some of our history lectures in Benin on the slave trade, I learned a lot that had never been presented to me in public school, and realized just how US-centric our education is about this matter. I thought I would share a few odds and ends that stuck out to me. While we in … Continue reading
While in Benin, we discussed and even met some domestic servants. And by that I mean, adults who had worked as servants for a period of time to work off debt, and children who were “adopted” to help run the house. It became easier over time to pick out these young girls, by their plain, … Continue reading
Is it okay to be giving service to an organization that is really just a group of women making money? Yes, they’re not as well off as those in the US, or as our translator. But they have clothes and food and look pretty healthy and happy. I’m not going into a poor orphanage and … Continue reading
