Monday, January 23, 2017

Let's Go To India 2017

Hello and Welcome!! 

This is the blog that our group going to India in June 2017 will be using to keep friends, family, and others involved in our experience. To start off, we thought we would have the students attending the trip introduce themselves. Each person was asked to write a little about themselves and why they are excited to go to India.  Here we go! 


My name is Morgan Grzegorzewski and I am co-leading this Alternative Break Service Trip (ABST) with Chip. I am a junior Physician Assistant major here at Gannon University. I have been an active member with the Center for Social Concerns since I was a freshman at Gannon. I am extremely excited to experience India and immerse myself in a new culture within a country I have never been to!

Hello family and friends! My name is Chip Oberle, I am a senior Mechanical Engineering major and I am co-leading this trip with Morgan. Last year I went on an ABST trip to Guatemala which sparked my interest and drive to explore the different cultures of our world. I am very excited to experience the culture of India. I am someone who finds great interest in learning about the socio-political “norms” of non-American societies and cannot wait to learn more. I am also very excited to spend time with everyone who is partaking on this journey with us. I very much look forward to getting to know everyone else. Thanks!

Hi! I am Jimmy, a senior software engineering student. I am always trying to find new ways to widen my perspective, and this is the most basic reason that I have chosen to visit India for this ABST. For many years I have been fascinated by eastern culture and spirituality, so I am excited to have an opportunity to experience this first hand. I have yet to really leave the country, so I am ready for this new experience. 

My name is Nate Carlin and I am a  senior majoring in software engineering. Although I keep busy most of the time with school, work, family, and programming I do enjoy traveling around the world and experiencing different cultures. I am excited that I am fortunate enough to not only travel to India for the first time but also having the opportunity to serve those in the community we will be in.

Hi my name is Leah! I am from Erie, Pennsylvania. I am a nursing student at Gannon University. I am excited to go to India because I have never been outside of the United States. I have always wanted to travel and learn about other cultures. 

My name is Caitlin Ebert and I am a Junior Physician's Assistant major at Gannon University! I am from Waterford, Pennsylvania not far from Erie, so I commute to school! I am involved in many on campus organizations such as Phi Eta Sigma, Tri Beta, and the Gannon University Honors Program. Outside of school I spend the majority of my time outdoors hunting, kayaking, hiking, and playing with my dog. As a part of the India trip, I am incredibly excited to meet new people, learn new culture, and expand my knowledge of the world. The biggest thing I am excited for is to do something that truly scares me. I believe we learn the most when we do something that challenges us outside of our comfort zone, so I hope that the trip to India does that for me!

Hello! My name is Cathy Wahlenmayer and I am a freshman mathematics major at Gannon. In high school, I competed in the United States Academic Decathlon, memorizing hundreds of pages of packets of material that didn't always seem relevant. Last year, the theme was India, so I am very excited to actually meet the county I've studied for so long! I also have been a counselor at WLD Ranch in Girard, PA. I'm looking forward to making connections with the children in India as well. Thank you to all of my friends and family for your prayers and support!

Shania- I am currently a junior PA major and I'm involved in many organizations including; Students Against Violence Everywhere, Gannon University Society of Physician Assistant Students, and I am the former vice president of Lambda Sigma Honor Society. When I'm not studying, I like to spend what little spare time I have with my family, especially my four amazing sisters who are my best friends. I am so excited for India because it will be my first time out of the country and I feel like it is going to be an amazing learning experience. I can’t wait to experience and appreciate a different culture while developing new friendships with the people I will be traveling with!

So that's a little about all of us! I hope you continue along this journey with us as the trip nears! 

Thanks!