Although this was my second time experiencing the alternative spring break trip to NOLA, I still feel like I gained an entirely new experience this time around. As the student leader of the trip, I got to watch the group grow and bond with each other from an outside perspective, while also being able to grow and bond alongside them. I had never acted as a facilitator for discussion or group reflection prior to the trip, which made the first few group activities feel a little foreign to me, but I think being able to participate in this role prepared me for post-graduate life after Virginia Tech. Overall, this trip gave me a wholly new sense of service and what it means to be an active citizen in my community, and the sense of pride I gained from the volunteer work we completed as a group is something I hope to continue with in the future. - Noah Solomon
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