Preparing for Takeoff

Hey there, I’m Aaron! Welcome to my Lumos blog. Over the next four months, I’ll be keeping you in the loop on my international development project in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Part of the time, I will be working in a shelter for immigrants and refugees as they pass through the city. I might also have the opportunity to expand the project to work on local issues and work with other NGOs.

I recently returned from a nine-month stint in Galicia, Spain, where I taught English on a Fulbright grant. That experience certainly made me feel more confident as a traveler and intercultural communicator, and I am excited to use my much-improved Spanish to serve. My time at home has been short, but I am making the most of it by seeing lots of friends and family before I leave the country once again. It’s a whirlwind, this season of life has helped me feel more comfortable moving around and adjusting quickly to new environments.

While the past year has prepared me well for some aspects of the project, I know that the work I do in Guadalajara will be immensely different than teaching. I might have the opportunity to teach at some point, and I will be looking out for any chance I get, but I will also have to do lots of physical labor and “grunt work” at the shelter. Regardless of how I contribute, I’m excited to do so, and I’m doing my best to begin this experience with an open mind. I’ll be back with more updates next week after I land in Mexico and visit a friend before beginning my work!

¡Hasta pronto!

Aaron