A month in the campo had passed before we knew it, and tomorrow we would be leaving for the capital and, in a couple more days, leaving the country. It was time for the despedida - a time to celebrate the memories we've shared but also a sad one as our stay in the Dominican Republic comes to a close.
All of the host families and friends in the community gathered for the event, and the professors and I began by serving soda and chicken pastries. The professors shared thoughts and reflected on the past few weeks, thanking the families and community for their hospitality and sharing so deeply with all of us.
It was then time for the slideshow I had prepared, with some music selections commonly heard in the campo, piecing together the many memories we had made in our short time together with our family and friends there. Tears were broken by laughter, reflecting on moments we can now only share through pictures and stories.
Alicia, one of the students on the summer program, represented the group in expressing our heartfelt thanks for everything our families, friends and community did for us. Juan, a respected member of the community, came up to the center to express to everyone how our group had fit into the community like none other had and that we had an especially good command of Spanish among the group. He said we are always welcome here and will always have a home in La Esquina.
All of the host families and friends in the community gathered for the event, and the professors and I began by serving soda and chicken pastries. The professors shared thoughts and reflected on the past few weeks, thanking the families and community for their hospitality and sharing so deeply with all of us.
It was then time for the slideshow I had prepared, with some music selections commonly heard in the campo, piecing together the many memories we had made in our short time together with our family and friends there. Tears were broken by laughter, reflecting on moments we can now only share through pictures and stories.
Alicia, one of the students on the summer program, represented the group in expressing our heartfelt thanks for everything our families, friends and community did for us. Juan, a respected member of the community, came up to the center to express to everyone how our group had fit into the community like none other had and that we had an especially good command of Spanish among the group. He said we are always welcome here and will always have a home in La Esquina.