Cultural exchange + cheese farm
Student Trip Blog
Today the group started off with quite a long ride to our new hotel, while bonding with one another for the entire ride. The ride lasted around 3 and a half hours. The group settled down for a wonderful talk with the generous Kerolle, a CEO of a non profit organization, dedicated to giving medical care to Haitian immigrants living in poverty. We discussed the hardships that immigrants go through when moving to the DR in hopes of oppertunities, only to be thrown into harsh and underpaid work conditions.
We checked into a beautiful hotel, notable and accurately known as the Piergiorgio Palace hotel. Some of us took a quick dive into the pool before taking a ten minute walk to the beach. We bonded in the ocean, throwing footballs around and playing chicken. We let loose and splashed freely in the cool water, after longingly awaiting our one day of swimming. We walked leisurely back and swam into the pool some more, before heading to the pavilion for dinner, over looking the island. The dinner was a choice of chicken wings, burgers, and pasta. We finally ended off our truly summery day with a reflective night meeting, passing the torch onto the next leaders of the day. As of now, right before bed, we are taking one last night swim.
Kyleigh: Hi mom, dad, Ellie, Kelten, and Hayes! I miss you all so so so much, I miss you grammie, papa, grampy, nana, auntie kait, auntie haley, Silas, avi, Maren, auntie Beth! I miss you Pat, Kelly, Trav, and Sawyer! I am doing great and having the best time of my life and I am ok and I can’t wait to see you guys when I get home!
Leah: Hi mom! Hi dad! Hi Will, Mairin, and Finn! I am having a great time and I miss you all. Have fun picking up Emmy and the kids from the Air port! See you soon! I love you and miss you!
Marissa: Missing and thinking of my wonderful family! Mom, dad, and Chloe. I think you would be proud of the way this trip truly fuels my excitement for my future. I love you guys and I can’t wait to show you all the pictures and videos!
Comments (5)
Kate
Leah- it was great to hear from you today! It looks like you have done so many amazing things. What a great experience! Keep the blog posts coming! We miss you and love you!
~Mom, Dad. Will, Mair, Finn
Hillary Bucs
What an amazing day you all had! I didn’t realize you were staying overnight at the beach and got to learn about the medical care of Haitian immigrants living in poverty.
I am so glad you all got swim several times.
Marissa, I miss you so much and I am so excited to see those pictures and videos. Let’s definitely create a photo wall of your trip.
Excited for the next blog!
Hillary,
Marissa’s mom
Jeffrey Bucs
It sounds like another day full of meaningful experiences! I love hearing how my daughter, my students, and all of you are learning and growing on this incredible journey. The backdrop of this beautiful country is both inspiring and humbling, with hardships and poverty that may be unlike anything you’ve seen before. It’s such a powerful contrast—your privilege to travel to this stunning place and the reality of those who call it home. What a profound experience for you all. I hope it truly highlights the impact you can have on the world with your unique gifts and opportunities. I’m so happy you’re all becoming friends and sharing this journey together—and the swimming pool at your hotel (so awesome!)!
Jeffrey Bucs
Marissa,
I’m so bummed I missed your call! I had just left the house 5 minutes earlier. I’m thrilled you’re having such a great time! I miss you and look forward to hearing everything when you get home! Loved the blog post. Great job to all three of you on your day of leadership!
Love,
Dad
Tania Thibault
Joey I’m so proud of you. So happy to see that you are experiencing new things learning and having fun. Miss you love you so much
Mom.