By Maisah M. & Chase B.
This morning kicked off with breakfast around 7:30. After that, we gathered for Meeting for Worship and sat in a circle. We spent 20 minutes reflecting on the differences between the USA and the Dominican Republic, highlighting cultural nuances that often go unnoticed. Our query referred to ideas and mindsets from the DR that we would like to see included in American culture. As a group we decided we wanted to see more people absorbed by happiness in their places of work. In the DR, everyone we worked with led with a smile on their face, eager to immerse us into their communities. We wanted to see more people in America truly happy about their jobs and valuing happiness rather than money.
After checking out of our hotel, we went to the Instituto Ambiental for our fourth and final service project: painting tires (planters) in color-coordinated patterns as part of a classification project. This hands-on activity not only engaged us creatively, but also provided insights into the importance of organization and aesthetics in everyday life. Unexpectedly our tour leader adopted the prettiest puppy and named her Ciencia Moorestown in honor of our group. She traveled with us for the whole day.
Then after we were done with service, we had lunch and then had a two-hour bus ride to our new hotel in Santiago. Upon arrival, we presented our findings from yesterday’s “Market Challenge,” and results from the scavenger hunt, practicing our new Spanish language skills.
The day culminated in group presentations, where three teams showcased their efforts in speaking Spanish. It was a testament to our dedication to learning and adapting to new environments, further enriching our cross-cultural experience.
As the day comes to a close, we reflect on the diverse experiences and lessons learned, embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with exploring a new country. Tomorrow promises more adventures and discoveries as we continue our journey in the Dominican Republic.
