Student Grateful for Cross-cultural Mission Experience

Cross-cultural mission trips provide students with an opportunity to become immersed in a different culture and experience life in a new way. After going on a Spiritan Campus Ministry spring break mission trip, sophomore Kayla Alborg expresses her appreciation for how the city and its people changed her life forever through a letter to the city of New Orleans.

New Orleans, I have one last thing to say to you: Thank You.

I was reflecting on my time in New Orleans on the plane ride back to Pittsburgh. At first, I thought that the work we did on the house was not significant at all because we did not finish the siding or the roof. However, toward the end of the flight, I looked at the smaller picture. We, 24 of us, helped one family live happily without worry. We helped a family turn a house into a home.

The experience definitely changed my life and made me realize that, in life, we should focus more on the simple things rather than get caught up in our busy schedules. In the Lower 9th Ward, where most of the houses were completely demolished, the view they have there is very uplifting and filled with hope, which I did not expect.

The outlook in the South will continue to stay with me in Pittsburgh. We seem to be more closed and private with our personal lives. For example, a simple hello is rarely exchanged between two strangers. In New Orleans, everyone seems willing to say hello and to engage in a conversation with people they have never met before. After seeing how friendly the people were, I am going to take it upon myself to make sure that I smile at and engage in more conversation with people.

New Orleans, you mean more to me than I had expected. Because of your culture and the time I spent with you getting close to 23 other individuals, I am a better person. I would like to get involved with Habitat for Humanity in my hometown and participate in other mission trips that Duquesne offers. Giving back is something that people should take advantage of, and I would not have wanted to spend my spring break any other place. You, I and our 23 companions changed a family’s life—for the better. To me, that is all that matters from this trip. If one person is changed, then I helped to make a difference to one person.

Until next time,
Kayla Alborg, Student Seeking Service

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