AMAZON RAINFOREST WORKSHOPS
Reflections from 25 Students

This was the best intersession ever!  Everyone should sign up for it!

It would be very difficult to improve on this program.  Our time was filled with many exciting excursions.

The most amazing and fun experience of my life.  I hope that I can bring this experience to others.

 I was impressed with how open & receptive the local people were.  I really like the fact that when we were on the boat, that everyone stopped to wave at us.  People on the river stop and wave.  It’s nice to know that there is a place where they are not so rushed that they can’t wave.

I like how everyone coexists in the village.  Kids, elderly, everyone came to help.  We don’t have that sense of community at home.  I have a different sense of community now from being here.

I understand now really and fully that there are still isolated parts of the world where the fast pace of the modern world has not touched.

I’ve been able to step back to see that this society can be happy with so little.  It made me think about my purpose on the planet.  I’d never really considered myself an outdoors person, but I’ve never been bored here. 

I’ve now realized how important the rainforest really is.  When you hear about it in school it doesn’t really affect you the way it does when you’re actually in the rainforest.

Now that I have experienced the rainforest, I feel more a part of it, more attuned to it and I feel an added responsibility for its well being.

The beauty and complexity of the rainforest was something I had understood on an intellectual level before coming here, but I didn’t really grasp it on a visceral level. 

The resources of the rainforest are essential to the survival of so many people. We as Americans use the oxygen it provides, the medicinal plants.  We use it so much and I didn't realize this before.  There are also so many untapped resources and plants that have yet to be discovered.  Not to mention, the destruction of the rainforest means the destruction of the people who live there.

By spending time in Peru, I don’t think I’ll take for granted the things that I have in the U.S.  It really showed me how blessed I am as an American. This has inspired me to help people that aren’t so fortunate as I am.

The people have more of a bond with the earth than people in most of the world.  Their food and supplies come directly from the earth.  They don’t go out and buy it.

I realized that simply because the people are living in a different environment does not mean that they are completely different from me.

Being able to see how the tribes and communities of the rainforest live helped me understand how the lives that they live are so different, yet we still share the same basic human needs.

I’m going to try to conserve more energy.  I won’t leave lights on, etc.  I saw how good I had it compared to how some families live.  I always have food, clothing, and shelter.  I took that for granted before.  Now I’ll appreciate it more.

I learned how adventurous I could be on this trip.  I have the senses and I tried to use every one to experience everything.  I am much braver than I previously realized.

My appreciation and outlook on life have changed completely.  The way in which these people live helps you to forget material things.  I will personally take a new approach to everything I encounter.  Also, there will always be a connection and bond between me and those on this trip whether or not they share that same feeling.

I learned how spoiled I am and that someone my age can live a life less than half as wasteful and twice more productive than me.

I have so much more respect and appreciation after this trip for the hardworking people and environment in which many will never see.

I learned how lucky and spoiled I am, and how many things I take for granted.  Though I always knew how well off I was, experiencing this more humble way of life really opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate what I have.

I learned how much I want to help people when I get a job.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, it was amazing and truly unforgettable.

OTHER EVALUATION COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS

 This was one of the most exciting and stimulating trips I’ve ever taken.  It was so well organized and our Guides were outstanding.  They were warm, friendly, and inviting at every moment.  The way they shared their knowledge of the Amazon rainforest and the people of the area was amazing.  I really enjoyed the Community Service day.  The people were so kind and it was such a pleasure to work side-by-side with them.  What an amazing time we have had! 

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I’m leaving Peru with a greater appreciation for the world at large after seeing the lives of the natives, the small communities, and villages. I began to recognize a lot of the luxuries I usually don’t think of:  running water, electricity, garbage disposal, transportation, the list goes on.  In American standards, many of these folks are living in extreme poverty, yet their joy of life, love for their people, and immense kindness leads me to believe they are far wealthier than the richest North American.  

My favorite part of this experience was the many things I learned from our Guides.  I can’t begin to explain the knowledge and awareness they have given me about the people of the Amazon and the amazing harmony of this wonderful ecosystem.  The trip was perfect and much more than I anticipated before coming here.  There is no doubt in my mind that I will come back.  There is a piece of me I am leaving behind in the purity of this beautiful place.   You guys have changed my life, continue to change others.

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It was great experiencing something so different with people who are very important to me.  It was different to be roughing it Amazon Style, but it was new and really brought everyone closer together through the experience.  The night hikes were fantastic, and really our Guides really made the trip with their phenomenal intelligence and skills.  All the activities were great, especially having a chance to interact with the natives and try out some of my Spanish. The down time was equally good and gave ample opportunity for reflection. On the whole, people here in these isolated areas are so much friendlier than back home in the U.S.  Also the pool was sweet, food was quite delectable, and really I could go on … though there was a lot of structure and serious daily activities.  I enjoyed all of them because they were so new and different.  The soccer (futball) was really fantastic.   Seeing all this diversity in this vastness, this place really is a treasure and something that all people should see in their lifetime, not only that, but the people have so much more fun in their lives, they’re so passionate about their dance, soccer, and learning they take nothing for granted and are so eager to learn, they fit in with the forest so naturally it’s amazing.  It’s not really possible to put all of this into words. I don’t really know what to say for myself, but this will be in my thoughts as I go about life.  No promises on any dramatic changes, but I’m so glad to have taken this opportunity, not only that but I enjoy finding solace on my own and this sort of trip would bring out something different in everybody, so why try and explain it to someone who would see it entirely differently, but nevertheless, thanks.

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I thought the whole program was fantastic!  But I loved Monkey Island.  Fishing for Piranha was the best of the best.  The food was also amazing, along with our Guides.  The Service Project was probably the most fulfilling of all.  I wouldn’t change anything.   I’ve now realized how important the rainforest really is.  When you hear about it in school it doesn’t really affect you the way it does when you’re actually in the rainforest.  By being able to see the life of the natives first hand I am filled with so much respect for them and their lifestyle.  I am blown away by the fact that in this era, there are still people living without electricity, cars, ipods, computer.  It’s really eye-opening.  By spending time in Peru, I don’t think I’ll take for granted the things that I have in the U.S.  It really showed me how blessed I am as an American. This has inspired me to help people that aren’t so fortunate as I am.

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I really enjoyed the canopy walk, meeting the Yagua Indians, and Monkey Island.  They were the highlights of my trip and I really liked our Guides.  The whole trip was awesome.  I can’t think of anything to improve the trip. It was amazing and I’ll never forget it.  I know the rainforest was full of different animals, but I didn’t know about all the different insects and little animals that could be found in every tree.  Also, I didn’t know that the rainforest changes so rapidly.  The people have more of a bond with the earth than people in most of the world.  Their food and supplies come directly from the earth.  They don’t go out and buy it.  I’m going to try to conserve more energy.  I won’t leave lights on, etc.  I saw how good I had it compared to how some families live.  I always have food, clothing, and shelter.  I took that for granted before.  Now I’ll appreciate it more.

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I most enjoyed the trip to the Shaman and learning about all the different animals in the Amazon.  The shaman was interesting; he gave us a peak into Peruvian culture and history and also the coolest souvenirs, cleansed auras, and tattoos.  Learning about different bugs, reptiles, and animals with our Guides was also pretty cool.  The species were completely different from what we have in North America, they were just fascinating.  I also enjoyed all of the night hikes and boat rides. I understand how the Rainforest functions much greater after this trip.  I feel I can now better appreciate the air that I breathe, the fuel that I burn, and some of the fruits that I eat after exploring this bountiful jungle.  Peruvian Rainforest people are incredible.  They are intelligent, resourceful, and incredibly productive.  I appreciate their hard working efforts and how they use the earth so carefully and fully. I know that I can also have a much less wasteful lifestyle.  They also seem incredibly connected to each other, relying on one another to provide and protect, displaying much camaraderie.  I learned how adventurous I could be on this trip.  I have the senses and I tried to use every one to experience everything.  I am much braver than I previously realized.  I also learned how spoiled I am and that someone my age can live a life less than half as wasteful and twice more productive than me.

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I thoroughly enjoyed Monkey Island, coming that close with a side of nature that I haven’t seen before really gave me a better appreciation for all forms of life.  I was not only impressed, but surprised by the quality of lodging and accommodations.  The food was fantastic, above and beyond what I expected.  Finally, the performance on the final night was truly amazing; watching such talent and energy coming together in harmony like that makes me wish I had done something of that sort.  My appreciation and outlook on life have changed completely.  The way in which these people live helps you to forget material thing and values.  I will personally take a new approach to everything I encounter.  Also, there will always be a connection and bond between me and those on this trip.

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I enjoyed the trip immensely.  It was an amazing experience that I could have only dreamed of.  I loved learning about the different cultures and being surrounded by nature.  I loved living off the land without electricity and extras that I have at home.  The food was amazing and our Guides were the best!  They knew everything!  I learned a lot.   Through this trip I have learned so much about all the different plant, animals, insects, and how they all interact.  It’s a whole different world down here that has been undisturbed and is still a mystery to many.  I’m so happy I was privileged enough to experience this world.  The people were all so nice and welcoming.  It’s amazing to contrast them to how we all live today in 2005.  They use the land to its full potential and don’t waste anything.  Myself, I have so much more respect and appreciation after this trip for the hardworking people and environment in which many will never see.

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