Antigua, Guatemala Buck-i-Serv

For my STEP Signature Project, I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala for spring break with Buck-i-SERV. We volunteered with Constru Casa, a non-profit organization in Antigua that provides sustainable housing to families in need. Four of our days were spent working with the masons and family to build a home out of cinder blocks, gravel, and cement. We stayed in the home of a couple that has lived in Antigua all of their lives. In addition to volunteering, we were also able to go on excursions to experience other parts of Guatemala and its people, history, and culture.

I went into Guatemala with very little knowledge of the culture, history, and even the language. We didn’t know our itinerary or many details about what we were doing. This was new for me, because I like to have everything planned and understood before going on a trip. However, I believe having an open mind and less control allowed me to take in so much more of Guatemala and be in the moment. My views on communication, stereotypes, poverty, and international relations were transformed. This was extremely impactful for me, because I didn’t read any of this out of a textbook. This came organically from conversation, asking questions, and new experiences.  In general, I gained an understanding for social justice and social justice issues that affect the lives of so many people. I know that my service trip did not fix any of these issues, but I found that I do have power in my personal choices and in sharing the story of my time in Guatemala.

The relationships and interactions during this project are what shaped my transformation. I have to keep reminding myself that I didn’t know any of these people before going on the trip, but we became so close and learned so much from each other. To begin, Elvira and Enrique, our hosts, were so kind and welcoming. They wanted us to feel at home and went above and beyond to make sure that happened. They were open to any conversation, whether it be about Antigua, their past, or their marriage and kids. They accepted us for our backgrounds, our looks, our culture, and our lack of Spanish, reminding me that I should always do the same. When I think of Elvira and Enrique, I will always think of one of the best examples I have seen of kindness and selflessness.

When I think of one word to describe Guatemala, besides beautiful, I think “patient.” I was amazed at how people were so understanding when we were trying to navigate a new country and culture. Every street vendor, store clerk, and cashier would smile and listen as we tried to use Spanish or hand gestures to communicate. There was no rush or sense of annoyance. This was also the case with the family we were building the house for and the masons, who spoke almost no English at all. Even the poorest of people in the villages would say hello and smile in passing, no matter what. Their culture was so neighborly and showed me how important communication is – even if it is just a smile. It meant so much to me. The people of Guatemala were just kind, genuine people, regardless of their situation. I continuously thought to myself, what if America was like this? What if we had this kind of patience and understanding of people’s differences? It would be a remarkably different place. Again, I know now that I can do my part in being more patient and accepting in the United States. It taught me a lot to be on the other side of things and feel like the minority in a new place.

Any stereotype I had of Guatemala was disproved, and I got to immerse myself in some very important aspects of their culture. Nobody fits into one box or one look. Some people are short, some people are tall, some people have brown skin, and some people have white skin with blonde hair and blue eyes. I had no idea how important religion is to them. With it being lent, we got to see a parade come by Enrique and Elvira’s house, in which the entire town came out for. I didn’t understand their level of poverty until I was working in a town of houses with dirt floors and walls of sheet metal. I found out about the civil war that just ended in the 90s and how that continues to affect Guatemalans. I got to see pieces and remains of their Mayan ancestry. I learned about some of the issues with child labor, especially because they have many agricultural exports. Everyone loves Guatemalan coffee, but not everybody knows that children are working in the fields for their Starbucks coffee plantations. It put a lot of social justice issues in perspective.

Of course, I learned more about myself than I had imagined. I saw my physical strength when I had blisters and sore muscles from working on the house all day. I saw my mental strength when we encountered tough situations, whether it be disagreements in the group or major changes as COVID-19 evolved. I saw myself and the group overcome fears that we didn’t know we had. I saw my strength in building relationships, staying grounded, and asking questions. Above all, I confirmed my love of exploration, service, and new experiences. The things I got to experience firsthand mean more to me than I can express. Guatemala has a very important place in my heart.

This development will stay with me for the rest of my life and will be especially important as I transition into post-graduate life. The trip put in perspective how lucky and privileged I am. Even if my future plans do not go exactly as expected, I am still extremely lucky to have the journey that I do. I hope to be less fixated on my life plans and more open to the opportunities that come my way. Any experience that will make me more well-rounded, even if that means a different or longer path, will make me a better healthcare professional in the end. I want to broaden my scope and seek out more than just my career – I want to focus some of my energy into service, exploration, and travel.

I will constantly be exposed to new people with complex backgrounds and social situations. This trip made me much more aware and empathetic towards that. Communication will always play a role in how I relate to people as a healthcare provider, and I know how important it is to adapt to new situations and be able to have discussion. I will always seek to learn from relationships and experiences rather than textbooks or the internet. In the future, I hope to find ways to combine my loves of service, travel, and the medical field. I will always keep in mind what is important to me in new or difficult situations – which is keeping an open mind and taking every opportunity to learn.