Besides Horses... In Gratitude.

"In 8th grade I went on my first service trip to Costa Rica with the International School of Indiana. It was one of the best experiences I had ever had.

I loved combining my passion for travel with "helping out!" Especially as it involved nature and wildlife. The experience was one of growth. We spent the week working on different projects, the biggest one being the building of a natural wildfire barrier around a wildlife conservation area to help keep the animals safe. We also helped clean a national park by rebuilding trails and replanting native plants to help restore the ecosystem. 

One of my favorite moments was getting to see sloths and monkeys in the wild, some of the very animals our work was helping to protect. Our service felt meaningful. I’ll never forget!

The trip helped me realize just how much wildlife is being affected by things like deforestation and climate change and how important it is to take care of our environment before more of it is lost. It made me want to do more to help in the future.

I came back from Costa Rica feeling inspired, grateful, and even more excited to keep combining my love for travel with service work in order to makes a difference." ~Samuelle Leerkamp

"In 9th grade I went on my next service trip, to the Dominican Republic this time around. This trip was more focused on community service, it gave me a deeper understanding of how important human connection is, especially across cultures.

We spent part of our time at a retirement home, helping clean and organize, but more importantly, sitting with the elders, talking and listening to their stories. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier, being able to connect with people in their own language, made the connection more meaningful and personal. It reminded me how powerful language can be in building trust and showing respect for someone else’s culture.

Next we donated our time, money and supplies at a local adoption center. We met with the kids. The experience was an emotional one. Witnessing first hand how much joy the children had, despite their situation, reminded me how much service matters. Just being present with them, laughing, playing, and once again practicing my Spanish, meant a lot to both them and myself. Another eye opening experience and new perspective that service isn’t only about what we give, but also about what we learn and how we grow from it. I personally left the Dominican Republic feeling more connected, more motivated to keep learning Spanish, and more committed to continuing this kind of work that blends culture, care, and compassion." ~Samuelle Leerkamp