This post begins where the previous one leaves off…
The last year of my life is very important to my story, my overall life story (hopefully).
Once I really decided to go for it, and apply for this course, I was quickly presented a unique opportunity. A friend of mine, Connor asked me to accompany him to South America for an internship.
Connor is a striving photographer and he had seen a bulletin for a journalism and photography internship and got in contact with me. We both enjoy travelling and experiencing different cultures, and we had always wanted to do a trip together. We had been unable to in the past.
We took the necessary steps to complete the internship application and the results came back positive. I then begin to jump into serious saving mode, as well as getting a second job bartending as I really needed money before leaving the country. Quitting my job was the biggest weight off my shoulders, I have yet to experience anything better.
Was this trip a way to assist me in my future studies and occupation? Was it to help and try and uplift people in South America with the organization? Was it simply an escape for several months? To be fair, it was all three. Being an intern or volunteering, or whatever you want to call it is a two way street. Helping people, and by helping people you help yourself and get to run away from reality for a little while. No reason to sugar coat it. Nothing worse than a white knight, am i right?
It is pretty spectacular going to different countries and realizing everyone is exactly the same just with different tendencies. South Americans run a little hotter, if you know what I mean. Tremendously affectionate and friendly people, but after spending two months immersed, I can safely say they are ‘Loco”. I love it. My biggest take away from my experience was that some of the poorest people have the biggest hearts. Community plays a big part in survival when you don’t have the financial stability. But, we will get into that shortly…
