Why I Travel

By Jasmin Gonzalez | November 26, 2021

It’s easy to think of reasons why we travel- to see beautiful sights, meet interesting people, to explore new places that inspire us and experience things we only could’ve imagined. As I sat sweating next to the van drinking some foul-smelling oral rehydration salts, not a single one of those reasons came to mind. It was my lowest moment in the Dominican Republic. I did exactly what I told all of the program participants not to do: I overexerted myself during the work project, I didn’t take enough breaks, and therefore I didn’t drink enough water. My co-leaders realized that I needed to sit down and cool off, and as I was resting, I realized something myself- despite the inherent risks and inevitable challenges that come with travel, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

I was surrounded by people who all had shared goals, and supported each other in achieving them: we were here to learn, to grow, to experience all of life’s ups and downs, and to leave a positive impact. That summer working in the Dominican Republic, I felt I did all of those things on a daily basis. It was a whirlwind summer working with six different groups and leading five different itineraries, and as a first-time program instructor, there was a steep learning curve. I learned how to advocate for what I need and how to work on a leader team comprised of individuals of various backgrounds. My Spanish improved so much that I was able to explain to the local driver why I was so excited to drive through the southeastern region of the island- my grandfather was born and raised there. And maybe most importantly, I learned how to take care of myself better (I’ll never get dehydrated again!).

My favorite aspect of the role was connecting with people despite any preconceived notions about each other and forming bonds over multiple cultures, languages, ages, and belief systems. By finding what brings us together and focusing on that, we were able to surmount any obstacles that came our way, and have fun in the process. From the young local children we worked with to the teens participating in the program that came from various countries, everyone brought a valuable perspective to the table and contributed by being open minded and humble.

I had graduated from college only one month before embarking on that journey, and I was set to begin graduate school in Washington D.C. when I returned from the Dominican Republic. I had studied environmental science as an undergraduate, I would go on to get a Masters in Environmental Science and Policy. I had already begun to pursue my interest in environmental education during my undergraduate career, and my summer experience abroad provided a different lens with which to approach my new academic endeavor.

I took as many field courses as I could that got me outdoors and learning about the environment in a more hands-on way, as well as classes that helped me better understand the global perspective on environmentalism and ecological management. Working and learning in different communities, whether it was in another country or just a block over in D.C., was awe-inspiring and motivational. Eighteen months in that program helped me reflect on the fact that we are all connected to the environment, whether we realize it or not. Folks in the Dominican Republic may be more connected in obvious ways, like having a garden in their backyard that they use as a food source. Others with less obvious connections, like city dwellers and people who don’t enjoy being outside, still have a relationship with the natural world, even though it may look different. Everyone deserves the opportunity to improve their environment and we can do so much more to that end by forming connections, sharing resources, and supporting each other.

Since graduating with my Masters, I’ve held a variety of different titles in the environmental, outdoor, and experiential education space, but the one I hold in highest esteem and will continue to keep is “student.” The more I learn about the world around me, the more I want to learn. It’s a constant evolution of knowledge, implementation and growth. As I continue to work in the field as an instructor on transformational programs like the ones I led in the Dominican Republic, I hope that my students absorb even one of the many life lessons that are out there for them. We don’t often get to choose the challenges that travel, or even life, throws at us, but when we are faced with them, we might as well smile, take it in stride, and pocket the learnings to bring along on the next adventure.