Projects Abroad

A Quote to Live By

"If there is something special you need to do now is the time. If you want to make a difference in the world now is the time. Don't be fooled into thinking you should wait until you are older or wiser or more secure because it doesn't work that way. The wisdom will come. The security will come. But first you must begin your adventure."

Global Nomadic Intership Opportunities

If you're looking for an international internship for Medicine, Biology, Nursing, Journalism, NPO experience, or just plain 'ol volunteering - check out this organization! They offer many opportunites and have researched each of them personally. They will help you set up and complete your journey! Contact them

Colombia Wrap-up!

CARROLL OUTREACH TEAM PARTNERED WITH MONTANA DENTAL OUTREACH TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF IBAGUE, COLOMBIA                     

December 31ST 2010  - January 6th,2011

*Excellent Volunteer Opportunities for Students*

Colombia Crew: Dan Pearson-- Post Trip

1.  What was the hardest challenge adapting to living in a 3^rd world country?

-Obviously there is a huge difference between living in a 3^rd world country and spending the time that we did in one. I can't comprehend what it would be like to not have a mental countdown that would allow me to return to what is natural, normal, and safe for me. The hardest challenge from our time in Columbia was the language barrier. I speak very little Spanish, enough for basic communication, but I wanted real conversation with these people and for the most part I couldn't.

2. Why did you want to go on the trip?

            -I know nothing about dentistry or anything health based in general, so I really had very little to offer the crew or the people we were serving. This trip was completely relational for me. I wanted to form relationship with individuals from a completely different culture and allow those relationships to speak into my life and build new relationships with individuals from my own community.

3. How did you hear about the experience?

            -Last Spring I spent a lot of time in Jack Oberweiser's office trying to sneak by Stats. At one point he decided he should try and give me something that I could maybe use in life (just kiddin Jack, but really) and he pitched the idea of this trip to me.

4. What was the thing you remembered most?

            -On our last day working I spent a large portion of the day playing (instead of working) with this family of three kids, two of the sweetest little girls I have ever met and a teenage boy who I talked with for a long time. At the end of the day I met their father, who was very grateful for the work we had done and asked several questions about the U.S. and Montana. Although all our conversation was broken, I was able to form a small relationship with the family.

            The next day about ten of us were walking back from a jungle/waterfall hike outside the city. We came across by far the poorest area we had seen the entire trip. As we walked through this barrio we began to see several familiar little faces from the volunteer house. This barrio was the main neighborhood that the organization served to. The kids rushed out from their houses and the river, which they were playing in, and gave hugs and kisses to the volunteers from the house. As we were leaving the barrio we came across the home of the family that I had met the day before, a house with walls constructed from random pieces of metallic and wood scraps. To see where this family lived and the kind of joy and love their shared for each other and strangers will stay with me for a long time.

5. How has this trip changed your perspective on life?

            -I have realized that the necessities of a quality life and the necessities of a joyful life are not the same.

6. How has this changed your hygiene habits?

            -Honestly, none at all.

7. What us the one thing you want to tell people about your experience?

            -Don't take anyone's word for it. Go yourself. Nothing can replace seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, smelling, and sleeping what, how, and where a large portion of our world. Those in poverty have so much to teach us, these lessons cannot be taught through any Power Point.

8. Was it tough adapting to a third world community?

            -What was tough was having everything I need (food, water, etc) while people on the other side of a concrete wall were so much in need and not being able to help. I felt spoiled and helpless at times. That was pretty hard.

9. Is it tough being back in the U.S. fast pace life?

            -No, it was very easy, but I don't say that in a good way. Our fast pace life often distracts us from so many simple joys of life. It was an easy readjustment, but not necessarily a good one.

Honduras Experience: Niki Voeller

1.  What was the hardest challenge adapting to living in a third world country?

The hardest challenge for me was the language barrier.  We were fortunate enough to have two amazing translators named Carlos and Blanca who helped us throughout the entire trip, whether it be translating stories or talking to patients.

2.  Why did you want to go on the trip?

I am a pre-dental student and I wanted to get a real life experience, not just through observation at a local dentist office.  I knew that by going on this trip I would learn a lot from the dentists while learning about a new culture and helping the less fortunate.

3.  How did you hear about the experience?

I heard about this trip though the Carroll College Outreach, specifically Louie Bartoletti.  His father is one of the dentists who went on this trip and I am thankful I got this opportunity.

4.  What was the thing you remember most?

I have two: The first was while I was assisting Dr. J.P. Walters.  She and I were working on a man who had a cavity so deep half his front tooth had to be filled.  He also had never brushed his teeth in his life.  After we cleaned all the plaque and filled his tooth, we held a mirror up so he could see his reflection.  I have never seen anyone smile so much or be more thankful in my life.  It really makes you appreciate how lucky we all are.
The second was when the amalgamator machine broke.  Amalgam is the silver colored fillings for cavities.  The amalgamator shakes up the amalgam so it is ready for the dentist to fill the cavity.  Inside the machine, the two rubber bands broke that turned the wheel to get it going.  We had to find something that was rubber and was about the same size as the rubber bands.  We tried hair ties and those did not work.  But, because we were in a clinic, we knew there had to be some sort of protection there.  We cut off the ends of the condoms, which one of the translators embarrassingly had to ask for, and sectioned it into more straps so the band would be thick enough to hold.  It worked for the remaining two days of the trip and we all got a good laugh about the "condommator."

5.  How has the trip changed your perspective on life?

The trip had has made me more thankful for the things I have and get to do on a daily basis.  The technology, food, medical care, and even showers and bathrooms are something we should all appreciate in the U.S.

6.  How has this changed your hygiene habits?

After seeing some of the plaque build-up and how many teeth had to be extracted (12 was the record on one brave soul), I find myself wanting to brush my teeth a few extra times a day.  I also love the warm water we get to use and how we get to flush toilet paper down the toilet (the pipes are too small to fit toilet paper down in Honduras).

7.  What is the one thing you want to tell people about your experience?

If you are lucky enough to get to go on a mission trip to help the less fortunate, do it.  Don't think twice, just do it.  It is an experience that cannot be described by words or pictures.  You appreciate so much more and it benefits the less fortunate as well as your outlook on life.

8.  Was it tough adapting to a third world village?

It was hard at first drinking only out of water bottles, using their facilities, and eating new foods.  After a few days, however, we all seemed to get used to what little we really had.  We sucked it up and used it, like the Honduran people, to our best ability.

9.  Is it tough being back in the U.S. fast pace life?

For me, because I appreciate how fortunate we are in the U.S., it was not hard to get back home to a comfortable setting.  In Honduras, time does not really phase people, so it certainly is tough getting back into my busy schedule with tests and studying.