I paid my deposit and we have been told that the trip is ON as of right now. I am excited to get to meet new people and be immersed in a new culture! This will also be a great bonding experience for my classmates and me. There are many of us in the same semester but a few that I have yet to meet! :) According to previous semester students we will have the opportunity to live with a host family for at least part of the time we are abroad. While I am very excited, I am also really nervous! lol I don't speak any spanish so I am doing what I can to learn on an app called duolingo. It is very basic right now, but that is fine concidering I am squeezing it in between studying for classes and practicing my suture skills. I am still unsure of my physical exam skills so this will be a great opportunity to become proficient not to mention the possiblity of surgery! :) Everyone that has been on previous trips has had nothing but good things to say about the quality of the veterinarians and how helpful they are and how wonderful their host families were.
The cost of the trip isn't terrible, but it will mean that Brian and I will have to scrimp every penny this semester and next semester. I realize I am asking a lot for people to donate, but any little bit will help. Not only in off setting the cost of the trip, but also in my ability to get things to donate to the families we stay with and the people we meet while we are there. Although the culture is very different, people still LOVE their animals and want to do whats best for them. We give them resources that they don't always have access to, simple things like leashes and collars. Small toys for the children and trinkets for the adults are all meaningful souvienrs for them to remember us by when we leave. Prays are greatly appreciated too! :) Although this isn't a religious trip I feel like we are still spreading God's love through this work and I couldn't be more excited to leave a positive impression AND to gain some important insight into a different culture and community. It's all about making this world a little bit smaller by connecting with people. <3 Love, Emilie
