R&R: Ethan’s Trip to Guatemala

by givebackdev | Oct 17, 2022 | Scholars

Bitten by the ice of the alpine winds, their feet sloshed through the puddled volcanic gravel in the dead of night. The fiery roar of Volcan de Fuego sounded off in the distance. Deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. It had been two days since they began their trek and the journey’s end was within sight. As they reached the summit, the sun at last began to peak from behind the clouded sky, casting its brilliant rays across the breathtaking scenery.

This past summer, Northern Illinois University sophomore and Give Back Scholar Ethan Gonzalez spent some time relaxing and recharging–and reaching mountaintops–in his father’s hometown in Guatemala. He traveled there in June with his father and brother, and stayed with his uncle who led them on a host of adventures throughout the country.

Ethan kept busy during his two week stay with trips to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, hikes to the hidden pools in Lanquin where he swam in their crystal waters, and down-time spent soaking up the sun at the beach. He even put his Music Education and Vocal Performance studies to good use by serenading his grandparents with an Italian Aria.

A fervent proponent of walking and being in nature, Ethan treasured his scenic experiences during his summer travels, some of which he said were physically taxing but mentally and emotionally rewarding. His most gratifying experience was his journey climbing one of Guatemala’s most famous volcanoes, Volcan Acatenango.

“It was a thrill to climb this 13,000 foot-tall volcano with my dad and brother by my side,” said Ethan. “It was a challenge going through the rain and frigid winds near the summit, but it paid off with a victory lap around the crater once we reached the top!”

A rewarding and centering experience, Ethan’s journey on Volcan Acatenango opened his eyes to the powerful practice of breathwork, and it reminded him to always take a break and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.

With the new school year in full swing and students across the country trading in their tank tops and towels for backpacks and binders, remembering to take a step back and recenter yourself is more important now than ever. Whether you are an incoming freshman or pursuing a master’s degree, practicing self-care year-round is paramount to success in all aspects of life.

“College can be very stressful, but having the opportunity to stay in tune with nature and taking a step back has made me realize that I have made it very far as a person,” said Ethan. “Last year as a freshman I had to go through a lot of self-growth and learn a lot more about myself than I already knew. I am focusing on myself and not worrying about what others are thinking about me. I’m the one that’s responsible for doing what I love and setting myself up for success. I’ve learned that there are going to be many volcanoes in our lifetimes. But once you reach the top, you feel weightless.”

Gracie Traviño’s Study Abroad Trip to London

by givebackdev | Sep 23, 2022 | Scholars

Between museum hopping, pub exploring, and petting the late queen’s royal horses, Gracie Traviño kept busy this summer on her study abroad trip to London. The ten-day excursion in June was an end-of-year opportunity awarded to students who completed the accompanying History of the British Empire course at Lewis University in Illinois — and it marked the first time that Gracie, a British history aficionado, traveled to the country that fuels her passion for history.

A Give Back scholar and junior at Lewis, Gracie juggles a busy schedule as a double major in History and Theology, and a Donnelly Grant Intern working on preserving Joliet-era history in the university’s Adelmann Regional History Collection. Through her studies, Gracie intends to pursue a PhD in History, with a concentration in the British or Latin Empire, to ultimately teach at the collegiate level.

Her fervor for history, and Britain, ignited when she was just six years old and has continued to swell over the years. Studying everything from the Prohibition to Spanish Morocco and in between, Gracie is fascinated with learning about how people justify their actions, and is inspired by such prominent figures as the late Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria — both of whom taught her that you don’t have to be a man to run an empire. So when she learned of the opportunity to take a course that aligned with her passions and allowed her to travel abroad, she was elated.

“It was really exciting to travel to England, especially after everything I learned in the class about the history of the empire,” said Gracie.

Gracie was accompanied by eight of her peers and the course professor on the trip. Together, they visited a host of museums and galleries, seeing such marvels as Rafael’s paintings and the Elgin Marbles; attended a Westminster Parliament session; talked to the locals about political issues; experienced pub life; spent some quality time with the late queen’s horses; and much more.

“I think it’s important to have these types of experiences because they are very eye-opening,” she added. “It’s important to see the world and see things for how they really are. You’ll learn that people really aren’t as different as you think they are.”

Officially her favorite class of her academic career thus far, the History of the British Empire course offered Gracie a unique opportunity to experience, first-hand, a culture that plays such a meaningful role in her long-term career and educational endeavors. Now that she is back home and more inspired than ever, she plans to continue working toward her goals in academia, while making sure to carve out some time in her bustling schedule to join a few different clubs, make new friends, and do some of the things she loves best — like reading Tolkien, playing piano, painting her nails, and spending quality time with her family.