1. Please provide a brief description of your STEP Signature Project. Write two or three sentences describing the main activities your STEP Signature Project entailed.
For my STEP signature project, I chose to do an international Buck-I-Serv trip. During this trip, I was a part of a team that built a family a new, safe, and stable home in Santa Maria, Guatemala. This was possible with the help of Consrtu Cassa, local masons, the family receiving the new home, and other Buck-I-Serv participants that were able to go on this trip due to the support of STEP!
2. What about your understanding of yourself, your assumptions, or your view of the world changed/transformed while completing your STEP Signature Project? Write one or two paragraphs to describe the change or transformation that took place.
Completing my STEP Signature Project through Ohio State University was a transformative experience that certainly impacted my understanding of myself and the world around me. Through my service trip to Guatemala, where I participated in building a stable house for a family in need, I gained a newfound appreciation for the power of collective action and the impact of thoughtful service on communities. Witnessing the tangible difference we made in the lives of this family, along with their help, provided me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that reshaped my perspective on my own capabilities and responsibilities as a global citizen.
Immersing myself in the vibrant culture of Antigua, Guatemala, allowed me to broaden my horizons and challenge my preconceived notions. Before getting to Guatemala I was very scared that something might go wrong, whether it be an insect bite or safety in the cities, I was concerned prior to departure. I quickly learned after engaging with locals and experiencing pieces of their culture and community fostered an understanding of the beauty in diversity but also the deeply rooted similarities across cultures such as music, art, dance, community engagement and fulfillment reinforcing the interconnectedness of humanity despite cultural differences. I was immediately relieved by the kindness of everyone I met along the way in Guatemala and their genuine desire to make you feel welcome. The friendships I formed during this journey further enriched my experience, showing me the universality of human connection and the importance of building bridges across cultures. Overall, my STEP Signature Project not only deepened my commitment to service and social justice but also instilled in me a greater sense of humility, gratitude, and curiosity about the world.
3. What events, interactions, relationships, or activities during your STEP Signature Project led to the change/transformation that you discussed in #2, and how did those affect you? Write three or four paragraphs describing the key aspects of your experiences completing your STEP Signature Project that led to this change/transformation.
One of the most meaningful experiences of the trip was getting to know one of the younger members of the Constru Casa team on this trip. She was 19 years old and interested in learning more English. I wanted to learn more Spanish so we worked together to help each other learn more about each other’s languages and as a result, cultures. Connecting with someone in this way was one of the most unique and special connections I have ever made and it was only during the span of one week. This experience taught me that putting in the effort to talk to people who are different from you can result in a transformational relationship. It also taught me to not shy away from having real conversations with people you do not know because that is the only time connections and mutual learning really happens.
I also learned through this trip how important it is to give in a way that benefits those you are wanting to serve. Sometimes when we are serving we forget that the experience, although collaborative, is not really about what we want to gain from the community but instead gaining through avenues that are most beneficial to the community we are working with. We spoke about this with the other Buck-I-Serv participants that wanted to talk more with the family we were building the house for. They did not speak much English and were often times speaking with the local masons or busy with other things. They may also not have felt overly comfortable with us, not for a lack of effort but just due to the circumstances. We were still able to communicate and work together and at the end of the day we helped to provide them a new home and that is invaluable. Although we may not have connected with them in the ways some of our participants may have liked we have still made a huge impact and in the way that was most beneficial to the family. They needed a new home, they did not need to have the burden of trying to explain their lives and perspectives with a group of strangers who live much more momentarily privileged lives.
Another thing that I learned during this service trip was that money, although a very important and large part of quality of life in the systems humanity has created, it is not the only part. This is a pretty simple sentiment that most people living relatively privileged lives such as myself understand on a surface level, but we often times believe that we have more to give and have a better quality of life. What I saw in Guatemala truly proved to me that this is not always or even often the case. The sense of community and familial relationships in the places we were serving in was truly beautiful and something you would not find in the suburbs of America. Social connection is one of the most critical parts of human life and I saw this flourishing in the cities of Guatemala. I am beyond grateful for my ability to have easily accessible drinking water and healthy food and shelter, but I didn’t know how much sense of family and community love I have been missing out on. I want to try and bring back that beauty and create more community here in Columbus and everywhere I go.
4. Why is this change/transformation significant or valuable for your life? Write one or two paragraphs discussing why this change or development matters and/or relates to your academic, personal, and/or professional goals and future plans.
The transformation I experienced during my service trip to Guatemala holds immense significance for my future aspirations in public policy, social work, or community building fields. My newfound understanding of the power of genuine human connection and cultural exchange directly relates to my passions for community development and social change that I hope to embody in my career. Through building connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds, I have learned the importance of empathy, effective communication, and cross-cultural understanding in creating positive and sustainable impact within communities.
On a personal level, this experience has deeply resonated with my desire to cultivate stronger relationships with my friends and loved ones. I now recognize the importance of prioritizing human connection and shared experiences over things like work and school. In order to foster a sense of belonging and mutual support within my personal circles and beyond I intend to try my best to learn how to best communicate with others. I think it is also important to view relationships as an act of service that goes both ways, emphasizing that it is supposed to be rooted in selfless action and love. This intention to create spaces of warmth, understanding, and appreciation is important to me in both my personal and professional lives. By integrating my broader commitment to community building and social justice into both my personal and professional life, I believe I can create a more holistic approach to well-being and fulfillment, where individual growth and collective flourishing are supported and celebrated.
