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!
