http://www.coachforcollege.org

Coach for College

Physics Teacher, Soccer Coach

June - July 2018 • Ha Giang, Hà Giang

What I liked

I had the best time volunteering in an underprivileged region in Vietnam this past summer. I volunteered with 7 other Division 1 athletes from other schools around the country (I'm on the track team here) and worked alongside 8 Vietnamese college students who were English majors. We taught 8th and 9th graders and lived with a Vietnamese family. The bonds that were formed between American and Vietnamese coaches and students was truly amazing; I have never been grown so close to a group of individuals in such a short period of time. The kids we worked with were sweethearts and just wanted to be hugged, laughed with and talked to. It was the most incredible, life changing experience I have ever been a part of.

What I wish was different

I would not want to change anything about my trip.

Advice

Be willing to truly disconnect from your home life so that you can fully engage with the people around you who are in your same moment. There are so many special things that can be taken away from being in a culture so foreign. To truly appreciate all of these things it is important to leave your phone behind for a lot of the trip and to really be present in the moment.
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