After nearly three months of study and service in Peru, Goshen College students reflected on their experiences and on the joys and potential challenges of returning to the United States. Our concluding gathering was held at a Christian retreat center called Kawai, located on the beach about a 90-minute drive south of Lima on the Pan American Highway. The retreat center consists of a collection of clean and comfortable buildings amid well-landscaped grounds, just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean. It has wide lawns and a broad beach, perfect for long walks and contemplation.
The beach, shore and Pacific Ocean as viewed from the Kawai retreat center.
Study-Service Term (SST) directors past and present believe the retreat is an important step toward helping students return successfully to their lives in the United States. Students have a chance to reflect on their experiences abroad, prepare for life back home, process conflicting thoughts and put it all in context before the emotional roller coaster of shifting from sad goodbyes in Peru to joyous family reunions and a return to normal routines.
Sierra, right, talks about her service teaching small children. Edith, listens, with appreciation.
After arriving at Kawai on Friday, July 25, students shared stories from their service experiences. All said they enjoyed their service locations – Chiclayo on the coast, Ayacucho and Tarma in the mountains and San Ramon, La Merced, San Miguel and Oxapampa in the jungle. In some cases, students said they had ideal assignments, were kept busy and taxed physically or emotionally. In other cases, students coped with cultural confusion or periods of inactivity and had to learn patience as they tried to find their way in new organizations. A few said they didn’t make a strong connection with their service assignments or host families and were sometimes lonely. Still, they all appreciated the relationships they formed, and were especially grateful for the other GC students with them on service.
Michael, left, laughs about a health problem during his time on service. Stefan finds the story to be hilarious.
Saturday (as will be described in an upcoming post), the students presented their final projects, which covered a wonderful variety of topics and included a creative element to demonstrate the depth of their understanding.
Jaime, left, and Leah cannot contain their laughter during a role-play.
Saturday evening, students learned about “re-entry shock” – how and why international travelers often feel sad to leave and struggle to readjust to life back home. Students discussed what they will miss most about Peru, what they won’t miss, how they have changed the past three months and what they are looking forward to the most in the United States. They also had fun participating in role-plays in which they portrayed students coping with unexpected challenges such as trying to describe their SST experiences to a disinterested acquaintance, a distracted relative and a clueless work supervisor. The students were excellent actors and the exercise was great fun.
Stefan, Matt, Tim, Joel and Derek William sing during worship.
Students took turns sharing in our Sunday worship service, which consisted of hymns, readings (such as Bible verses or inspirational texts), describing special people and experiences and prayers. As with our spring group, one student chose the hymn, “Alleluia, the Great Storm is Over,” which prompted laughter from the others. He assured students them that he wasn’t referring to difficult SST experiences and added that he actually enjoys storms, especially during the summer. Other hymns selected were “Come Walk With Us,” “God of the Bible,” and “My Soul is Filled with Joy.”
Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre facilitates a discussion about SST goals, challenges and achievements.
After worship, students reflected one last time on their experiences in Peru – their expectations vs. the reality they experienced, what surprised them most about Peru or Peruvians, the highlights of their time in Peru, their biggest challenge and what that taught them and what they will remember most about SST. In discussing their highlights, common themes included appreciation for the hospitality of Peruvians and the loving relationships they formed. Other students mentioned simple pleasures, such as meals with host families, and they all expressed deep appreciation for other members of the SST group.
A final group photo of the Peru SST unit for the Summer of 2014.
Throughout the retreat, students expressed bittersweet feelings about being together as a group for the last time and about leaving Peru. Still, all the students said they were ready to begin the long journey home and be reunited with family members and friends. Alejandro, Andrew, Brian, Brody, Derek Peter, Derek William, Edith, Emma, Jaime, Joel, Leah, Lucas, Matt, Michael, Miranda, Sierra, Stefan and Tim all had very successful Study-Service Terms in Peru and we will miss their company. We wish them the best.
Students display a range of moods as the bus heads to our concluding retreat.The Kawai retreat center is about a 90-minute drive south of Lima, just off the Pan American Highway.A view toward the Pacific Ocean from the Kawai retreat center.The Kawai retreat center.The Kawai retreat center.The beach, shore and Pacific Ocean as viewed from the Kawai retreat center.The beach, shore and Pacific Ocean as viewed from Kawai.The beach, shore and Pacific Ocean as viewed from Kawai.The Kawai retreat center as viewed from the beach.Students discuss the ups and downs of their service experiences.As Matt and Leah listen, Brody (center) discusses his service experience.Sierra, right, talks about her service teaching small children. Edith, listens, with appreciation.As Brian and Matt listen, Miranda discusses working with disabled service.As jaime listens, Derek William, left, talks about the joys and challenges living and serving in an indigenous community. Emma talks about her service work with children.Lucas talks about his service work at an orphanage.Derek Peter, left, discusses the challenges of working with disabled children. Tim listens thoughtfully.Andrew, right, says his service work with children pushed him out of his comfort zone. Joel pays close attention.Michael, left, laughs about a health problem during his time on service. Stefan finds the story to be hilarious.As Leah listens, Joel talks about his service work in an orphanage.Edith, Miranda and Leah discuss their joys and challenges of service,Stefan, Andrew and Joel (not visible in the photo) discuss the joys and challenges of service.Matt, Brian and Lucas discuss the joys and challenges of service.Alejandro, Emma and Derek William discuss the joys and challenges of service.Tim, Michael and Derek Peter discuss the joys and challenges of service.Leah, Sierra and Brody discuss the joys and challenges of service.Edith, who served as a facilitator, observes as Emma and Alejandro act out a role play about the challenges facing a student returning from a Study-Service Term in Peru.In a role play, Emma portrayed a student returning from SST and Alejandro portrayed a disinterested relative.In a role play, Jaime, left, portrayed a student questioning U.S. culture after returning from study and service in Peru and Leah portrayed a student delighted with the U.S. way of life.Jaime, left, and Leah cannot contain their laughter during a role-play.A role play elicits laughter from Andrew, Brody and Brian.In a role play, Michael portrayed a boss fixated on work and Miranda played a student yearning to discuss her study and service in Peru.An exchange during a role play prompts smiles from Leah, Edith, Sierra and Stefan.Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre smiles at students who performed during a role play.Flanked by Andrew, Brody and Leah, Brian informs students of the back story of a role play.Students sing an opening hymn during worship service.For the opening hymn of worship, Stefan selected “Alleluia, the Great Storm is Over.” Stefan, Matt, Tim, Joel and Derek William sing during worship.Brody and Miranda sing a hymn.Brody and Leah during the worship service.Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre facilitates a discussion about SST goals, challenges and achievements.Students recall the goals they set for their Study-Service Terms before arriving in Peru.Peru SST Co-Director Richard R. Aguirre asks students to write about their expectations vs. the reality they experienced on SST, what surprised them most about Peru or Peruvians, their highlights of SST, their biggest challenge and what it taught them and what they will remember most about SST.Students write about their experiences in Peru.Tim and Joel write about their experiences in Peru.Students enjoy a final lunch before the conclusion of the retreat.Students return from lunch.After the work of the retreat was completed, some students enjoyed a final walk on the beach.A final group photo of the Peru SST unit for the Summer of 2014.
