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Testimonials from UST of Light On Your Path Journey
2024
 
Benito
 
Cadmus
 
Jocelyn
 
Joey
 
Rachel
 
Transformative Reflections: Discoveries from Nepal

Joey, Yr. 1, Science (Group A)

The Nepal service trip was a life-changing experience, and I am ever so grateful to have participated in this journey. This service trip had multiple learning outcomes, and I will reflect on my experiences from teamwork, interaction with the locals, workshops evaluations, and Nepali nature perspectives.

One highlight was the team of volunteers. At first, I was rather shy and reserved in talking with the local people, but observing how smoothly my teammates adapted their roles made me realize that service is a collective effort. I regret not realizing this sooner, as I would have asked for more advice from my teammates instead of just limiting discussions to my group mates.

Interaction with the locals gave me a glimpse of a simple, pastoral lifestyle. Learning how to farm and talking to the farmer owner Ras, I was surprised by his knowledge of the world, which subverted my expectation of Nepali villagers being isolated. I realized that the source of happiness can be simple. This made me ponder what happiness means to me, contrasting with the Hong Kong pursuit of money and new products.

The women's handicraft workshop, my main task, showed that while the locals already had advanced skills, more research into their existing practices could have made our workshop more beneficial. This experience highlighted the importance of understanding the context before implementing new ideas.

Witnessing the serene nature in Nepal, such as the walkathon where we walked the distance some students travel daily to attend school, I admired the locals' connection to nature. Growing up in the city, I have always longed to be more connected with nature. In the future, I will try to fully immerse myself in the natural environment despite my fears.

Seeing the spark in the kids' eyes during the science workshop reminded me of my passion for physics and inspired me to pursue my goal of becoming a physicist. This trip reinforced my determination to spread knowledge, especially to the underprivileged, as the freedom of the mind brings joy and hope despite our circumstances.