Introducing: Madeline Boucher

Hello everyone!

We wish you safe and happy New Year celebrations, as well as a blessed 2015! Before 2014 is over, however, let's meet Madeline Boucher, a senior communication arts major.

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I went on the Mexico ABST last year and I go so much out of it. I came back to the U.S. in awe and couldn’t believe how impacting the culture is there. Even to this day, I still talk and think about how much I took away from the Yucatecan culture. As much as I really want to go back to the Yucatan in the future, I wanted to take the opportunity to explore another culture in another country.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I can’t say that I want to learn something before we go, because I prefer to learn by experiencing. But to answer the question, I would have to say that I would like to learn about the general basics of the education system.

Q: Words to live by?

A: “The pain that you’ve been feeling can’t compare to the joy that’s coming.”

-Romans 8:18
“Just because you’re afraid, doesn’t mean you’re in danger. Just because you feel alone, doesn’t mean nobody loves you. Just because you think you might fail, doesn’t mean you will. Look beyond your doubts and keep searching for the truth. Despite the struggles that you might be facing, never give up on yourself. You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as capable as you have ever imagined.”
-Unknown
(I can never have just one quote)

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: I'd like to take our boat across Lake Erie to Canada with my family.

Q: If you were stranded on deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: A lighter

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I commuted my first 3 years of college and this year I’m living in the Kirk House.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: My adventurous self. I am always up for doing something new and interesting

Q: What is your dream job?

A: To be a manager for a record company in Nashville.

Q: What inspires you?

A: Others having confidence in me

Introducing: Mary Hagle

Hello friends and family!

Hopefully, everyone survived their Christmas and holiday celebrations and is ready for New Year's! As 2014 is winding down, we still have lots of time to introduce other members of ABST Guatemala, like Mary Hagle, a freshman chemistry major!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I have served on mission trips through my church in high school to Mullins-Wyoming, WV and also to Flint, MI.  I have been looking forward to an opportunity to serve abroad, and look forward to learning about the culture.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: More about the culture

Q: Words to live by?

A: The fact that our heart yearns for something earth can't supply is proof that heaven must be our home.

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: Sleep more and study more

Q: If you were stranded on deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: Sunscreen

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I want to travel the world.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: A creative mind

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Working in a lab as a forensic chemist

Q: What inspires you?

A: The beauty of life

Introducing: Raz Yuval

Hello friends and family!

In the midst of Christmas and holiday celebrations, we would like to take the time to introduce another member of the ABST Guatemala group: Raz Yuval, a senior sport and exercise science major!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: Guatemala sounds challenging to me and like a place where we are able to improve the lives of people.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I'd like to learn about the economic situation in Guatemala, as well as the popular sports over there.

Q: Words to live by?

A: Every day and every opportunity, try to learn and experience new things.

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: I'd use this time to travel, help others in need, and play more sports.

Q: If you were stranded on deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: A ball to play with.

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I'm a member of the Israeli national water polo team and the captain of the Gannon water polo team.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: I did 3 years of military service in Israel and got to travel a lot in my life, so I have had many life experiences around the world.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Being the manager of a successful professional sport team

Q: What inspires you?

A: That people with disabilities and difficulties don't give up and try their best to be successful.

Introducing: Ashley Lawson

Hello friends and family!

We hope the holiday season has been a time of joy and love for you thus far and will continue to be so. From all of us on the ABST Guatemala team, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Today, on Christmas Eve, we're introducing Ashley Lawson, one of the faculty members accompanying the students to Guatemala. Ashley is the new secretary for the Honors Program.

 

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I chose Guatemala because of the diversity of service projects involved in the trip. I feel like being exposed to all the different elements that make up the San Lucas Mission will help us to have a better understanding of the people we are serving. I’m most excited about their Fair Trade coffee! Added bonus – I’ve never been to Central America.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I love to learn about the day-to-day lives of people in the countries I visit, I really enjoy getting out of the tourist element and deeper into the culture.

Q: Words to live by?

A: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~St. Augustine

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: Become fluent in another language, eat healthier and stop making excuses for not getting enough exercise and sleep, learn new things and travel more!

Q: If you were stranded on deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: A satellite phone with a full battery!

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: After I graduated from college I spent a year teaching English at a university in Beijing, China.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: My experience traveling both as a student and as an adult – I’ve been to 11 countries, traveled solo and as part of a group. I see travel as the best way to learn!

Q: What is your dream job?

A: Travel Channel Host or National Geographic Photographer

Q: What inspires you?

A: People that take risks to follow their dreams.

Introducing: Raven Cilano

Hello everyone!

As promised, we will begin posting short biographies of the group's members every day.

To begin, let's meet Raven Cilano, a senior sport and exercise science major. Raven is also a co-student-leader for ABST Guatemala!

Q: Why Guatemala?

A: I wanted to lead because I became passionate about Guatemala as an ABST-er last spring.

Q: What is something you’d like to learn about Guatemala before going?

A: I'd like to learn more about their new compensation program for workers.

Q: Words to live by?

A: "Every day is a gift, not a right."

Q: What would you do with 10 more hours in the day?

A: I'd like to say I'd be productive but I'd probably just craft.

Q: If you were stranded on deserted island with only one thing, what would you want it to be?

A: I'd make sure Chipotle was available!

Q: What is something interesting about yourself?

A: I've been figure skating since I was 2.

Q: What is something unique you can bring to the group?

A: I bring an uninhibited outgoing-ness to the group.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job is to own my own physical therapy office.

Q: What inspires you?

A: I'm inspired by people and the great things we can accomplish by working together.

Welcome!

Hello friends!

Welcome to the blog for the 2015 Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala! We will be leaving on Saturday, February 28, 2015 and returning on Saturday, March 7, 2015. There are 11 students and 2 faculty members traveling together.

A trip like this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are all thrilled to learn about and experience firsthand the Guatemalan culture. Harvesting coffee beans and building stone stoves are just two of the activities we will be participating in! For the next few days, we will be introducing each member of the group. (It's our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas!) We invite you to follow us on our journey through this blog, which we will update frequently.

Stay tuned to meet the ABST Guatemala team!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!