"The hesitations of going abroad as minority group members due to safety, cultural reservations, or lack of seeing potential growth is common. However, I MUST urge you to do it!"

"Be respectful of the culture, yet also very cautious and responsible. It’s easy to get caught up in all the fun, but remember why you went there and the image you’re representing."

"We experienced living in a village (San Jose de Uchupiamonas), which was the most heartwarming experience of the trip. The locals made us feel very welcomed and reminded us that we could call this place our home. I feel that we have left this trip with new mentors that we can call family."

"I think the best thing to do is to be resilient in your beliefs and engage in constructive discussions with people from other countries with different viewpoints; we're abroad to learn more, after all."

"To adjust to the challenge I just embraced Nicaraguan culture while making a conscious effort to not compare it to American culture."

"I learned a lot about myself, too. I now understand resilience. I have a better understanding of how vast and complex the world is. I’ve learned that curiosity will always lead me to a fulfilling adventure."