Why did you decide to volunteer with United Planet in Chile?
Alexa: Many different factors went into my decision to travel abroad with United Planet. First, I was a minor and needed a very safe and structured program. My parents were very hesitant to send me thousands of miles away, so I needed to choose a program that was known for its safety. I was also looking for cultural immersion. I believe that my volunteer work and interactions with those around me gave me the experience that I had hoped for.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Alexa: Every morning I would head to Guillermo Matta around eight. I would then assist an English teacher with her lessons, emphasizing the correct pronunciation. I followed Miss Jacqueline to each of her classes, and would often work with struggling students individually.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Alexa: This experience has altered my outlook on the world drastically. My goal in life is to simply make a positive difference in the world, and I plan to do everything in my power to accomplish that. I now fully intend to aid in the decline, if not the eradication of life-threatening diseases in third world countries. Many people in under-resourced countries suffer from diseases simply because they cannot pay for their treatment. Therefore, I plan on studying how to make treatments more affordable and accessible for these countries. I now plan on participating in Doctors Without Borders in the future. Through this participation, both myself and doctors in these under-served populations would gain new insight into solutions and possible treatments.