The calluses built up day by day. The sun grew hotter upon our backs, sweat dripping from our brows as we watched the people around us smile and thank us, shedding tears of happiness. It’s these moments I live for. 

As a sophomore at Oakland University, I knew I loved basketball, rollerblading, spending time with my family and focusing on my faith; however, little did I know this would be the year I would come to find my one true passion. 

This would be the year I discovered that there were worlds other than my own, that even though some people were countries, states, even miles away, there were so many people suffering in their day to day lives due to natural disasters, poor governments, and so much more. 

The importance of rebuilding

As I was trying to make the most out of my college experience, a fellow university student and friend, Richard Spiegel, mentioned that soon Oakland

University was hosting an Alternative Spring Break volunteer opportunity. 

Thanks to his recommendation, I found myself on my way to a devastated rural area in Alabama that had been struck by tornadoes, leaving several communities in ruins. 

We spent days tirelessly demolishing and cleaning up debris that had scattered amongst the streets. 

At first this experience was just a lot of seemingly meaningless work, that is until I saw the faces of the people whose homes we were fixing up, who had spent the past living on floors or away from what was once their home. 

This is when I truly realized how small my perspective was on life. That volunteering was so much more than making myself look good.

It made me feel good and meant the world for me to help those in need.

Since that trip to Alabama, I’ve been to Honduras with Global Brigades, Kentucky with Agape Christian Ministry in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, as well as a trip to Panama on a business brigade.

 These trips all encompassed different goals, missions, and more, but they all had the same outcome: changing lives positively every day, mine included.The things I carry

I carry these experiences with me every day, making sure to take every situation with the open-mindedness I gained from being around people from all walks of life. 

My faith grew stronger as well; my relationship with God became one of the most important connections to me. 

I was coming to terms with my purpose in life, and the course I was set to follow. 

To anyone looking for their passions or to develop them, look out for the various organizations on campus and take the opportunities in front of you, as you never know what doors will open to you, what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet. 

The perspective I’ve gained and the people I’ve met have changed me for the better, and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

One of my favorite quotes sums up my passion best, “You have never really lived until you’ve done something for someone who can never repay you.”