Alaisha Lucia

Photos

Alaisha loves to volunteer and help others in any aspect at all. She has an outgoing and humorous personality, along with a huge heart. She enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, kayaking, volunteering, and art. She loves to learn, gain new experiences and meet new people!

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because, since I was a child, I have always loved to help others and wanted to, especially overseas. A friend recommended it and she loved it, so I decided to take a leap of faith and go! I am so thankful I went and got to experience this beautiful journey. I wish to return someday soon!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

All of the staff at POD are extremely helpful and provide excellent guidance to get ready for the trip! I had to organize my flights, travel documents and insurance for the trip. A few other minor details we had to plan ourselves, but other than that, all was planned for us! Their directions were easy to understand and they provide numerous great resources!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish we had known that, for the overnight trips, you have to book them way in advance! We missed out on that, but got to see amazing things locally, so all was still great! I would also suggest that any volunteers go with an open mind and open heart. The experiences are beyond life changing and provide such new experiences and knowledge. I would not trade this experience for anything!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day during the childcare program in India started with breakfast and then we would visit a local school. For two hours each day, we would teach children and then we would return for lunch, Hindi lessons and lesson planning time.

Lesson planning is where you plan what you will do for activities and teach to the students. After that, we volunteered at an orphanage, had dinner and then was able to hang at the accommodation. Weekends we went to local forts and temples, as well as traveled around the city.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was honestly the plane ride. Flying from America to India is a very long flight. It was my first time flying that far, let alone out of the country. I was extremely nervous but the plane ride went fine!

Aside from that, I feared the unknown. You don’t know what to expect, what it’s like, or who you will be living with. My views changed as soon as we got off the plane. Both the local hosts are so kind and welcoming. I never felt out of place or uncomfortable at all during my stay. They truly work with you to make you feel at home and to help you transition into this new environment.

In what ways was this experience life changing or transformational to who you are?

This trip changed my life, undoubtedly. No words can fathom how amazing this experience was. In so many ways, this trip changed who I am as a person, how I see the world, my values and what I wish to peruse in life.

I changed as a person in many ways, but significantly in that I found who I was. I was able to truly let myself divulge into a new culture and get to know the locals. In a short two weeks, I feel in love with the food, children, locals and India. This trip changed how I view myself and the world. Coming from America, a first world country, this experience made me realize how much I take for granted. I know practice conserving my resources since returning home. As for myself, I found a piece of who I am in India. At home I often followed what people expected of me and wanted me to be. In India it was the raw me. The person who I want to be.

Since returning home I have matured and realized who I am in a sense. I also feel my values and views on the world and life have changed. You don’t stay at five star hotels while volunteering, you live like the locals. This cultural immersion allowed me to grow and change my perspectives. The only thing I would ever change about this trip would be that I would go for way longer! I hope to return to India!