Aaron Kleinschmidt
“Lumos was such an influential experience—it was a whirlwind and I feel like I lived 1,000 lives already, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Country Mexico
All Good Things…
Greetings, I write to you at the wee hours of the morning as I finish up my last overnight shift at FM4. Only three workdays are ahead of me, then I’ll take some extra time to enjoy parts of Mexico…
Living in Community
Hey all, I thought I’d kick this blog off with a little Spanish lesson. (Don’t panic — it’ll be quick and painless). For our first class, we’ll learn just one word: convivencia, meaning coexistence or living together. Even those of you…
No Stranger to Change
Hello friends, family, and strangers! Today, I write to you in the midst of (yet another) transition. No, I’m not moving back to the US prematurely or changing the trajectory of my project; I’m quite happy with where I’m at!…
Thoughts & Feelings from the Middle of the Storm
Hey all! I hope you’re hanging in there and enjoying the changing of the seasons. Though I typically enjoy summery weather, I have to admit that this time of year fills me with a deep nostalgia for the U.S. Midwest.…
The Spice of Life
Security guard. Chef. Fashion consultant. Janitor. Nanny. Therapist. Translator. Manager. What do all of these jobs have in common? They’re the many hats I have worn in my nearly 2 months as a full-time volunteer with FM4 Paso Libre. Of…
My Why
Welcome back, folks! In the last two weeks, I feel I have lived and learned more than I ever anticipated. Most notably, I just returned from a three-day training with this cohort of full-time volunteers. We are currently eight volunteers…
Burning the Midnight Oil
Good morning, afternoon, or evening, wherever you are. I write to you as I wrap up a 12-hour overnight shift. If you had told me three weeks ago that I would be here, as an amateur security guard and volunteer-in-charge,…
A Rocky Start
Dearest friends, family, and strangers, I’m back after a brief hiatus, and we have a lot to unpack. Since my last post, I’ve started my volunteer role at FM4 Paso Libre, a shelter for migrants and transmigrants in Guadalajara. Taking…
Sunscreen & An Umbrella
Hey all! I made it! This past Wednesday, I bid farewell to my family and friends as I took an early-morning flight (2am!) to Guadalajara. Preparations looked like everything from me reaching out to my host mother to preparing and…