Why did I sign up for this program?

Why did I sign up for this program?

The 2015 Virginia 4-H - Dominican Republic participants have a variety of reasons for wanting to participate in this program. 

Sarah Peer, 17, from Shenandoah County, wants to learn how the Dominican schools are run and she wants to help others while she is there.  She hopes the Dominican children will learn that Americans are very loving and caring people.

Isaac Rhodes, 15, from Shenandoah County, wants to learn about the people in the Dominican Republic.  Isaac loves to travel.

Rachel Harriman, 18, from Shenandoah County, has participated in this program twice before.  She says she enjoyed every minute of the previous trips.  She liked going to where the people actually live and this year she wants to learn more about the Dominican way of life.

Tiffany Heishman, 15, from Shenandoah County, wants to experience the culture and to help the local kids.  She wants to learn about and to live life in a different country.

Andrew Rhodes, 18, also from Shenandoah County, wants to meet new people and also to be able to help people in a new country.  He is looking forward to exploring the Dominican culture.

                                                                                                                          

Carter Adcock, 15, from Alleghany County, signed up for this program because she wants to experience something different. She's been to a few different countries, but only on vacation. This is an opportunity to travel to a foreign country for reasons other than her own. She wants to meet new people and learn from them as well as make a difference in someone else’s life. She also wants to experience new cultures and lifestyles in addition to personal growth.

Amelia Kahle, 16, from Alleghany County, wants to go on this trip because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a culture so different from and more vibrant than her own.  She wants to experience the different aspects of this country and make a difference in the lives of the people who live there.

Michaela Miller, 17, also from Alleghany County,  says there are many reasons why she wanted to go on this trip. First of all, everything about this trip will be a new experience for her, from flying on a plane to visiting a foreign country. But more so than those new experiences, she wants to come on this trip because she loves people and just thinking that she can make even a small difference in these people’s lives makes her excited.  She is excited to spend time with the children, see the different culture of the Dominican Republic, and also experience the different social and economical situations that we will be seeing.

Shenandoah County 4-H Agent Carol Nansel has had an interest in furthering international understanding since she lived in Germany through the 4-H IFYE exchange program.  She helped establish this Dominican Republic program in 2006 and has enjoyed watching the Virginia 4-H teens grow in their leadership and citizenship skills each year.  The welcome shown to our Virginia 4-H group each year by the Dominican people makes us feel like we are there visiting family.  Many lifelong friendships have been established, and much cultural understanding has taken place over the years.  End of program evaluations from the 4-H'ers show that this program is truly a life changing experience for them.