So I created my first blog to share with people my adventures in Belize. I'm overly excited, nervous, anxious, happy, ecstatic, and so many other adjectives. I'll be the first Special Education student from UNCW to embark on this experience, and I'm going with Elementary Education and Secondary Education majors...so I know it will definitely be a one of a kind experience! San Pedro, Belize does not have special education services for their students. So at this point I really have no clue what I will be doing in the schools for their students. Hopefully I will be able to at least help the teachers learn ways they can help students with special needs whether it be a learning deficit, behavior problem, or something more serious like blindness or deafness.
This trip for me is a big deal. For starters, I LOVE warm weather. I'm always cold, and if I had it my way at my apartment, the temperature would be set on 75 degrees all the time. Also, I'm a beach person. I love it. I can deal without technology and other things in life if I can spend time on the beach.
But, while these things are great, my most valued thing of this trip is that it is a chance for me to accomplish my personal goal in life. All I have EVER wanted to do in life is to make a difference. Growing up it just seemed so easy and such a simple goal. I never thought it would be as hard as it is today. I remember saying to someone when I was younger "I wish that there was a job for community service". I know that sounds kind of confusing, but I thought it would be so neat to just help others all day when I was older. So, in high school I started thinking that if I wanted to make a difference, I would have to major in some sort of science. Now, in college, I have had so many majors in science, 6 science majors (marine biology, environmental studies, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science)...I only actually declared 2 or 3of these majors, but I still had completely had changed my mind for all of these majors. But to be honest, with all these majors I just couldn't feel settled down in the major. I like science, but its not something I feel I can do every day. So, one day, at home with my parents, it hit me. Being a teacher is a great "community service" act. Teachers have the chance to make a difference EVERYDAY and give back to the community in a way. I still remember all of my teachers from daycare until now, and I can honestly say that probably 80% of these teachers have made an impact on my life. Now, since I have heard about Belize, I am even more inspired to follow my heart in making a difference. I know that as long as I impact one student or teacher I have made my difference in the "world".
