If you were to walk through Burlington, it is doubtful you would find someone who likes poverty. Most Elon students would describe poverty as horrible. Yet, if you talk to someone who has been to an impoverished country and saw and felt their poverty first hand, their response would be quite different.

Upon returning from my spring break service trip to Honduras, I was asked by several friends and professors about my experience. My response: there are no words. In essence, reading about poverty and actually seeing it are two very different things. You can get the statistics online, but you are not able to hold a frail, malnourished baby in your hands.

Going to the “Third World” should be a requirement for every student. Not only does it enhance your understanding of the world around you, but it opens your eyes to the privileges we have and can use to advocate for other’s lives. Such an experience would be invaluable.

So when the next flyer or E-net posting comes out about a service trip, take more than one look at the possibilities it could offer.

Student: Lauren Taylor, ’10 - 05/03/07