Typical American Volunteer

Bottles of chlorine, tubes of mosquito spray, and a fanny pack with a mix of pesos and dollar bills.
I will not deny that this was me on my trip to the Dominican Republic this summer, but I will admit that the typical American volunteer is known for much more than their over-packing. With a history of sending people all over the world, America has spread the idea that we, as privileged Americans, have a duty to help. Most of these Americans are in groups that spend a week in a hostel, taking pictures, and volunteering, spending little time with the people they are supposedly helping. But, what right do we have to help them?! They are the ones feeding us, housing us, and allowing us into their lives. I will admit, I did think I was doing something good for the world, but I quickly realized that they were doing much more for me than I could ever do for them.
I have seen articles criticizing service trips, written by people who live in the United States or by those in countries where Americans typically travel. It was almost shocking for me to read these before my own trip. “After all, my intentions aren’t bad,” I told myself. But, even if your intentions are good, your reasoning is most likely problematic. According to Ivan Illich, who has worked with religious organizations in Latin America, in his work To Hell with Good Intentions, “next to money and guns, the third largest North American export is the U.S. idealist, who turns up in every corner of the world as the teacher, the volunteer, the missionary, the community organizer, the economic developer, and the vacationing do-gooder.” Taking the role of multiple personas, the typical American uses their privilege and wealth to travel to poorer countries and “make a difference.” However, what right do we have to tell others what they need? What they should want? On my trip, I could see confusion in the eyes of the people. They asked themselves why I was there, what I could do for them. And, in that moment, I saw the importance of my skin color and nationality in leading people to assume things about me. They assumed I did not speak Spanish. They assumed I was wealthy. And, I am guessing, they assumed I was there to “help,” “make a difference,” and “change the world.” Were they wrong to assume? No. Not every white American is like this, but these are the stereotypes that they have been exposed to through intervention and television.
So, am I saying that I used my American nationality to make the Dominican Republic a better place? Absolutely not! As I happily came to discover, the Dominican Republic was already a great place, with a vibrant culture, beautiful people, and an amazing cuisine. For one month, I got a glimpse into their culture as I spent time with my host family, made new friends, and created memories that I will never forget. All I had been taught about the country before I went there was that it was next to Haiti and was poor. But, looking back, I never once felt like I was living amidst poverty. Food was offered to neighbors and friends, “holas” were shouted from inside houses, and the Disney Channel movie marathons and telenovelas reminded me of sitting with my family at home. When I tell stories to my family and friends about my experience, I don’t start with the camps I had with the children every day or how we received a grant to build a water pump in the community. Instead, I start with the wonderful people I met, the comfortable community I had begun to call home, and the lively country that I think about each and every day. I would never have had all of these experiences if I had not decided to go on this trip.
Another student at McClatchy, Eli Veazey, a junior, also went on a service trip this summer. When I asked how he felt about the criticism service trips get, he replied that it is “important for people, regardless of nationality and ethnicity, to get a better world view.”I think when we talk about service trips, this is what we have to think about. Service trips are a way to learn about different ways of life and experience new things. Yes, community service is usually involved, but as long as the community is supportive and involved in the project, then why not? I like to think of it as a two-way street. From you, they get a dedicated and interested person (hopefully) learning and immersing yourself. From them, you get an unforgettable experience. So, I encourage anyone interested in adding to their worldview to travel and to get involved, but make sure you do not impose yourself. Eat the weird foods, dance with strangers, and talk to new people. Do not go on a service trip to help or to make yourself feel good. Do not do it because your parents or church are forcing you to. And, do NOT do it for your college resumes. Do it for the possibility of new friends, new perspectives, and a new home.