While the world holds many breathtaking places, I have gained a deep appreciation for the guarantees that we have as Americans. We spent two summers in Bolivia, one month in 1997, and the next month in summer 1998. Traveling in Bolivia was an eye-opening experience. When we arrived in La Paz, Bolivia s capital, I saw people living in a degree of poverty that most Americans will never fully grasp. At the peak of my teenage years, I was consumed with shallow concerns and never stopped to realize how fortunate I was.
Many Bolivian families suffer in tiny cement walled homes that resemble the American car garage.
They leave their rural homes in hopes of fortune and security, but are eventually forced to accept that their children will never be educated and that their hard work will never give them the license to advance in society. America is an extremely prosperous country and it is easy to forget how lucky we are. Having the opportunity to go to college alone is such a gift. Bolivian children cannot even get ahold of pens and pencils. It is not always pleasant to live in the dorms, but it gives the possibility to make lifelong friends and celebrate college life.