From the moment we all received that acceptance letter to Nicaragua, to bearing witness to the country itself was when we all knew this would be a long trip, and a long trip it was. Up until now, each and everyone of us has grown closer as friends than what we were like at that awkward meeting at Bryant Park. Everybody barely spoke at the meeting but now, everyone practically bonds and screws around with one another. Honestly, I’m surprised at the magic that 2 weeks without phones or Wi-Fi did for each and everyone of us. Through all these friendships, we did a lot together. We learned together, we laughed together, we cried together, we struggled together, and much more. But what I think is most important is that we made it together, and we made it as friends. What we all learned together is that we really didn’t know how good we have it back home up until this trip. A lot of people in Nicaragua have to use as little electricity and energy as possible  due to the high cost of electricity while some don’t even have electricity. The country lives mainly on cold water while others barely have water to bathe in. Most importantly, a lot people in Nicaragua have lived in poverty for most their lives, that they’ll be working from children, to adolescents, to fully grown adults, spending most of their lives trying to do what ever job to survive or even help their families. Learning about teens here who spend their lives working versus teens in the U.S who attend school is really impactful to all of us. As teens, we struggle with a lot of drama and other issues back home. But seeing the adolescents in Nicaragua and witnessing their lives showed we had no idea what struggle was really like. What this does for us is tell us we shouldn’t complain about our lives and better yet, be more appreciative of what we have back at home (Our phones, Wi-Fi, Music, McDonalds, and most importantly, our families). Not only this, but we’re the future and it’s up to us to make this world a better place by doing whatever helps whether it be volunteering at a national aid organization, getting involved with your community, talking to others about different perspectives of the world, or even just stepping out of your comfort zone. I think I speak for everyone when I say, this trip has made us all better individuals and the marks that were left on us, we’re gonna take back home to make our own marks on others.  With that, thank you global glimpse, thank you Danielle, Kelly, Kimberley, and Nacho, and most importantly, thank you to all my colleagues for bringing your own special personalities and talents that made this trip more fun and less hard. And now, goodnight Nicaragua, and see you in a few hours Nueva York.

– Brendan. L