For most Marywood students, Spring Break consisted of going home for a week and enjoying a much-needed break from their studies and the busyness of the semester. For those who took part in Campus Ministry’s alternative break service trip to Puerto Rico this semester, however, it was an opportunity to serve a community, enjoy and improve the environment, and be part of a mission to spread kindness to the island.

Campus Ministry runs two service trips each spring semester for students: one during Spring Break and another trip not long after the semester ends in May. This Spring Break, students went to the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico to serve the environment and the people living there.

Chloe Fischl, a graduate assistant for Campus Ministry, explained some of the hardships faced by the people in Puerto Rico.

“The island has been through a lot, between several hurricanes and the pandemic,” said Fischl.

Sophomore nursing major Raena Figueroa was drawn to the trip not just because it would be helping the community there, but also because of her heritage.

“I’m Puerto Rican myself,…. And my dad had also gone on a service trip there through his laboror’s union during Hurricane Maria. When he came back from his trip and told me everything about what he did and saw, it inspired me to want to do the same,” said Figueroa.

Each day of the week-long trip included different activities. One day involved planting trees, while another had volunteers cleaning coral and going snorkeling. The students even worked with a farmer on the island, helping him to plant new crops and harvest ones that had just borne fruit. Bilingual students on the trip helped to facilitate communication between themselves and the farmer.

The trip allowed the students to see that their actions had a real and lasting impact on the island they were standing on. Although her schedule does not allow her to take part in the summer trip, Figueroa said that she would definitely do it again next year.

“It was so nice to see the gratitude everyone had towards us for what we were doing,” said Figueroa.

The summer trip, for those interested, will take students to a summer camp for kids on the southwestern US-Mexico border. The trip will allow participants to help kids with school work and will host fun activities for the kids as well.

Overall, if one is on the fence about going on any of these trips, Figueroa heavily encourages taking the plunge and going.

“You get to see the impact your efforts have on the people and world around you, and it’s an indescribable feeling…You will not regret it.” said Figueroa.

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