Why my First Trip Abroad was a Disaster

Not every trip abroad is going to be a magical, majestic, life-changing experience for the better. Sometimes, travel is messy, complicated, and an overall disaster. That’s how my first trip abroad went.

It Was My First Trip Abroad

I was a senior in high school, bright-eyed, and completely naive about travel. A friend of mine extended an invitation to accompany her on a mission trip to Haiti. I had never traveled to a different country before, so I immediately said yes.

I was ecstatic about my first trip abroad while getting my passport, receiving my vaccines, and making all the arrangements I needed in order to go. The trip was through my friend’s church, and we would be going with her family, a pastor, and a few mutual friends. As I arrived at the church at 4 am, the negativity filled the room like thick, dark smoke. That should have been my first clue.

Negativity Creates Disaster

The flight to Haiti was short and overall pleasant until we landed. Hungry locals swarmed us immediately after landing, attempting to steal our luggage. A man grabbed my backpack and pulled me into the crowd, attempting to unzip it and steal my valuables. The event shocked me. It was not the desperation of the people, but the lack of preparedness within my own group that made me uneasy. This group had assured me they were well prepared and well equipped to make this trip safe and straightforward. While I was being yanked aside, my group stood frozen.

The Beauty of Haiti

Despite a difficult arrival, I remained positive. I could see the beauty of the country beneath the dusty layer of drought and hardships they had recently faced. I gazed up at the mountains surrounding Port au Prince and looked over the colorful houses from the rooftop of our home for the week. From the continued negativity of the others, it was apparent I was the only one who began to love the country.

The Problem with Mission Trips

Let me be clear: I do not have an overall problem with mission trips, or religious travel in general, especially when they are done properly. However, I had major problems with this trip, and the people I traveled with. We brought food, medicine, and clothes to orphanages, a village, and a children’s hospital around Port au Prince. The good we were providing was there, but the attitudes of those around me needed some serious adjustments.

The entitlement and negativity of my travel mates made me sick. I was yelled at not to approach a playful dog on a farm we were working on because it was “dirty”. I was told not to interact with locals while walking through a market. I was ignored when I voiced my concerns with barging into a church service in a church we had not visited and were not invited to. I was disciplined when attempting to feed a starving mother cat and her babies that were hiding in the garden of the house. Finally, I objected to forcing hungry villagers and children to wait for food until after watching a sermon in a language they did not speak and for a religion they do not follow.

I Love You Haiti, and I’m Sorry

Haiti was beautiful. The people, overall, were kind and happy. I fell in love with children I played with and made friends with some locals. The food was fantastic, and the scenery breathtaking. However, I hated the disaster of a trip. Travel is meant to be about experiencing another place, meeting new people, and realizing that the world does NOT revolve around you, your customs, and your beliefs. Instead, I was a part of a group that forced their beliefs and customs on others in the name of charity. I would love to return to Haiti someday and actually get to experience more of the culture, rather than being a part of a group that forced Haitians to behave like a small percentage of Americans. I deeply regret being a part of that trip. However, this was my first international trip, and it definitely sparked a need to see the rest of the world in me.

Have you ever been on a trip that ended up a disaster? Comment your story!

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