Student Stories and TRIPS

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”― Anita Desai, Author

“I have changed. I discovered a passion for history and the world we live in. I wish all students could have this opportunity.”―Danielle traveled to Germany

Guatemala Group Trip, June 2022: $12,234 funded by DCIS Foundation

DCIS-Baker students engaged in service learning in the heart of Guatemala. The itinerary includes visiting beautiful Antigua, engaging in a service-learning project near Lake Atitlan and San Juan de Laguna, and taking in spectacular views and activities around Jaibalito. Student travelers will be accompanied by Ms. May, special education teacher, Ms. Macias, restorative justice coordinator, and Ms. Padilla, DCIS-Baker alum and current school counselor. The cohort is setting up spring fundraising endeavors to reduce the cost for all travelers. Restaurant nights, a film showing, and coffee sales are all on the agenda! 

Japan

Proof of a Compassionate World.

“I love the uncomfortable bliss that comes from staying with a host family. Home-stays are proof that we live in a compassionate world…. I can’t believe they let me into their family and they accepted me as one of their own. This moment will never happen again, but it will always define who I am.”

Note: In a recent presentation, Jack said that staying with host families is the single biggest thing that has impacted him – it is an experience that has changed his life.

Italy

Life Lessons from Italy are Real.

Lesson #1: Always be friendly to others.

Lesson #2: Always carry a dictionary especially when you are in a country where the language is not the same.

Lesson #3: If you really want something (such as a trip to another country), your effort and your commitment are the keys for what you really want.

Lesson #4: Never be afraid to dream big and make those dreams come true.

Lesson #5: When you go to another country inform yourself as much as you can about the people’s culture within that country, such as their customs/habits and what they think is offensive and not offensive.

Lesson #6: Student exchanges are much more than going to a country and meeting people, it’s going to another country in the world where they will teach you who they are, and becoming part of a very distinct family from yours. That’s what makes these exchanges amazing and unforgettable.

Washington D.C.

My First Time on a Plane.

This trip impacted me greatly. It helped me with a lot of things. First, it helped me understand more of the world and our great country. It helped me learn things like our lessons learned; learning about history prevents other horrible, unfortunate things from happening again. Also, it was a life-changing experience for me. It was my very first time on a plane, and my second time out of Colorado, besides when I went to Wyoming for a couple of days! I’m extremely grateful for all the help I got.

AFRICA

This Experience Changed My Life.

“The Persian poet Rumi once said, “Travel brings power and love back into your life.” With the amazing opportunity I received, I learned that what Rumi says is true. The single fact that I was in Africa made me feel empowered and honored to be able to represent my family, race, and community. Furthermore, being away from everything for the first time for so long made me appreciate my family, friends and even America so much more. Not only did I come to realize how much I should appreciate all these things but my family and friends also learned how much they appreciate me.

This experience changed my entire life for the better and I simply cannot express in words how much I am thankful to the DCIS Foundation, Global Livingston Institute, and Mr. Truswell for the most wonderful time of my life. Thank you very much, you do not know how much you have impacted my life, Bless you.”

China

Growing Out of My Shell.

I have learned to become more open-minded to different cultures and to grow out of my shell.

I also learned how to show the world and China who I am and what I am capable of.

Puerto Rico

The World is So Different Yet So Similar.

I still remember going to Puerto Rico. I was so anxious, it was the first time leaving my family for more than 2 days, being so far away from my parents. But I was excited to go somewhere that I had never seen in my life and with people who now I’m really close to. I have to say in this trip two things that have impacted me the most is being away from my family for so long, and seeing how different it can be even if we are the same religion.

I started reflecting upon myself how lucky I was to be there in Puerto Rico, and how my family have supported me to do my best and helped me to pay for this trip, and how stressful it was for me and my family, to not be sure if I was going to be able to pay for the trip.

This trip was incredible, I loved it so much. It made me open up more and grow as person and be more thankful for everything I have. I want to be a successful person so I can travel and see other things and learn how the world is so different and has so many similarities.

Peru

Every Part of the World is Beautiful.

I’ve fallen in love with the people of Peru and the culture. I have learned what true independence and responsibility are, more than just doing my homework on time but making decisions for myself and growing from the consequences (good and bad) from all of them. I have come to realize who I truly am as a person. I no longer have the identifiers I had before when I was living in Denver (such as my group of friends my academic records my family, etc.) and I realize who I am without all of those things. I have learned that every part of the world is beautiful if you look with the right eyes how to value myself, the people, and world around me.

I have learned to speak Spanish almost fluently, I have learned Marinera- the national dance of Peru with new friends here and completely separate from home. Peru will always hold a truly dear place in my heart, and this experience is one I’ll never forget.

France

I Learned to Be Independent.

The trip impacted me in so many ways. I learned to be independent; before going on the trip I thought that I wouldn’t be capable of leaving my family. My French got better and better with each day.

I saw sights that left me completely speechless. I gained a different perspective by understanding the different ways of life and cultures. Traveling opens up your options and makes you comprehend different perspectives.

Italy

So Different From My Home.

When I went to Italy it was a very different experience from when I was at home. I was more outgoing and more open to the different country I was in. Everywhere we walked, and everything we saw, was just mind blowing to me. To just see it with my own eyes instead of in a history book.

One way that this trip impacted me is that it helped me get out of my comfort zone and try something new. The reason I say this is because at first, when I went, I was nervous because I had never been out of the state in my life. But to be there in Italy, and to see with my own eyes, was breathtaking. I actually was able to let myself go and let myself be free without feeling shy or embarrassed.

What I have taken from this trip is that I am more open to different opportunities and more open to different horizons.

"I believe that while in Brazil, I had an inconceivable stroke of sonder. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, sonder can best be described as "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own-populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness-an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you'll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.", the term was coined by John Koenig. I had a taste of this while looking out across the massive stretches of the Rocinha favela (Portuguese for the slums) from a bridge over the highway and when you see it you're just speechless- and the sheer number of people, activities, and daily occurrences taking place is just incomprehensible for the mind. These experiences and the exposure they entail align with this idea of global competency and the other domains of global leadership of Denver Center for International Studies." --Joseph Marrujo-Montoya, DCIS Montbello, Class of 2018

"I was really glad I had the opportunity and support to apply and be accepted to travel to France. Not only was this a really difficult journey to take because I was stepping out of my comfort zone, but it was the best experience I've ever had. I met so many great people that I will never forget and learned many lessons. I can't wait to have the opportunity to go back!"
"Without the DCIS Foundation's help, I would have most likely not been able to attend this trip because of money reasons. But apart from helping financially, they have also helped me grow to be a better, more globally challenged student by getting involved in globally diverse experiences." Celina Tovar, DCIS Montbello class of 2016

"Exchange is not just a year in a life, it's a life in a year." I have learned that every part of the world is beautiful if you look with the right eyes. I realize now how to value myself, the people, and the world around me. I have learned to speak Spanish almost fluently and I have been part of a culture in a place I'd never imagine myself being.
- Ca'la Connors, DCIS 2012, on her year in Arequipa, Peru.

"Something I loved at Global Youth Village (Washington D.C. trip) was that no one was there to judge you. It was the most accepting place I could ever go to. You can be heard there, and understood; there are no boundaries to expressing yourself. You meet people from all over the world, and get to learn more about how their cultures really are, which I think is amazing. You learn to trust there... everyone at GYV becomes like your brother or your sister, which is more than I could ask for." Anifa Musengimana, DCIS Montbello, Class of 2016

"What I really discovered is that even though we all inhabit the same planet, we live in monumentally different worlds and the way that we approach the worlds and that we build bridges between them is really what defines who we are and the future of our world." Eliza Cummings, Class of 2013

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