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Storytelling helps us share our experiences with the world, and we have so many experiences that we want to share! From interviews with participants, site directors and Amizade staff members to the latest news about our programs, you can always find an interesting story to read on the blog.

Glimpses of a spring break season with Amizade

Home > Blog > Glimpses of a spring break season with Amizade

by Daniel Alexander

We’re almost at the end of this year’s spring break, and so far, Amizade couldn’t be happier. Following an inspiring week of hard work, our Instagram account – yes, we’re on Instagram – got hit by tons of testimonials and stories shared by spring breakers from all over the U.S., while serving and learning with Amizade in five countries.
Check out six short stories picked by our team that emphasize cross-cultural moments experienced by passionate Amizade volunteers.

Appalachia

“What a week it’s been going from place to place in West Virginia and Kentucky. The bonds I’ve made, the memories I’ve made, and the work that we all accomplished is something I’ll cherish forever. This group of people has been the best group I’ve ever been around. Thank you all for the amazing week filled with excitement and fun.” Shared by Ryan Lingle, student at Penn State Abington.

Puerto Rico

“To say our #PSNK Alternative Spring Breakers have been busy these past few days in Puerto Rico is an understatement! They’ve been hard at work planting 2300 seeds, 142 mangrove trees and transplanting around 1000 plantlets in a region that has been deforested. We Are…so very proud of our students completing service and learning about new cultures while becoming global citizens with the help of Amizade Global Service-Learning.” shared by Penn State New Kensington.

Poland

“A place is just a place but it’s the people that make it what it is. Thanks to our incredible site director for making Poland unforgettable .” Shared by @chelsealeahwatts, student at Penn State Abington.

Bolivia

“University of Pittsburgh students blew us away today with their eloquent, professional, and thoughtful preliminary marketing plans and considerations to improve and sustain CEOLI’s work in Cochabamba.”

“The CEOLI/Amizade/Pitt PBL ladies today! We worked together in service… and there may have been chocolates ?Happy International Women’s Day ??????????” Shared by Allie Bustin, Amizade Program Facilitator

Jamaica 

​“I came to know and love a culture and a handful of individuals, and was forever changed by the experience. When the message was no longer “I am here to help” but instead “I value you- I want to know you, learn from you, journey alongside you,” the exchange shifted from a model of welfare to one that honors local capacity.” I am so grateful for the experience to learn and grow with this community. The warm welcomes and love they showed us was so humbling. My time spent in Petersfield, Jamaica will be impossible to forget. My personal end goal of this trip is to live and laugh everyday with a positive outlook and strong faith as you have taught me. I will remember your beautiful little smiles & of course the many many braids in my hair.  Thank you thank you thank you for opening your hearts and your homes to us and teaching us so much about your beautiful culture. This community is so special. We WILL be back soon.”  Shared by Maddie Billick, student at West Virginia University. With Association of Clubs.

Do you have a spring break story to share from your Amizade program? Share it on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #AmizadeGSL.

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