There is no combination of words that I could ever use to describe the significance of this experience. My life is changed; I am changed for the better. Everyday was an adventure that opened my eyes to the possibilities this world has to offer. The volunteering has enriched my life and the people of Nagua, project leaders, and fellow volunteers made this trip one that I will never forget and always aspire to live up to. There is not combination of words that I could use to describe this experience. I expected to do a lot of hard work and be rewarded by the adventure tour, but the truth is the entire four weeks was an adventure. Not only did I learn about the beautiful people and land in the Dominican, but I learned about my own strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and possibilities. My experience with ISV was life changing and I am a better person for embarking on this adventure.
Cameron Smith- Uni of Missouri

Every block we move, is one step closer to creating a home. Every smile or hug that we give to a child, no matter where on earth we are, is one step closer to achieving the feeling of community that makes us human. Volunteering is a bridge that gives us a sense of belonging. It makes us feel our need to be here, we feel our need to help out. All we ask for in return is the privilege to do it again! I am so grateful for being handed such a meaningful opportunity, that has changed my life, and more importantly has changed other people's lives. I can't wait to do it again./The experiences that I've had (the priveledge to have) on this trip have helped me to become a better person in many ways. I will continue to do volunteer work back home and respect myself as best I can (I quit smoking with the help of being around positive people that made up my group). I love the Dominican smile and I will keep it in my mind always. THank you to the Dominican Republic for giving me a stronger spirit and hope for the rest of the world!
Catherine Thomas- Virginia Commonwealth

The whole experience has touched my heart so much that this is definitely not the last time ISV hears from me! I will represent and than you for everything and let you know that I will support ISV till the end!
Nallely Carlon- Arizona State

There are no words to describe how I feel about the work that I did. I feel immense pride in myself and our group as a whole because I know that even thought we may have only had a brief amount of time to work, we still helped make difference in other people's lives. Working on a home and seeing the family that will live there sitting and watching you is an amazing feeling because you can see who all your hard work is going to benefit. One instance in particular that really touched me was when we were working on a site and this young pregnant woman whose home we were hekping to build was watching us. We went up to her to ask her when she was due and replied with ...tomorrow...well that just about floored all of us. THis woman who was going to give birth the next day was outside in the sun watching her home being built, and just knowing that I was helping this baby have a home when it came into the world gave me more joy than anything else in the world./ THis trip was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I signed up because I wanted to do something I would never do, something out of the ordinary to open up my circle of comfort. I've experience so many things on this trip that I could never have done anywhere else. I know that I have changed as a person in the mere 5 weeks being here.I feel like I can do anything if I really set my heart into it, I mean I jumped off a 35ft cliff and repelled down a 155 ft waterfall. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to make a difference in people's lives and their own as well.
Meredith Naron- Uni of Florida

If I had to describe it in one word, PARADISE. I think Crossroards was a perfect place. The food was the best I've ever had. It is one of the best experiences I will ever have. These people, especially the children helped me to search within myself and find out what life is all about. They convinced me to dig deeper than I ever had before. This experience left an internal brand in my body. I will never forget their faces, smiles and Hearts. They are my heroes. They are my angels.
Megan Harvell-Hoffman, University of Nebraska

This has been the best experience for me and I know that everything I do and everything I see will be influenced by my experiences these 4 weeks.
Heather Donnelly, Boston University

The best experience, I hope every student has the chance to encounter this one and discover new and amazing things as well as themselves. The community project was an excellent idea for IST. I hope to lead a group in the future.
Tania Walker, Purdue University

The look on the children's faces was priceless. I feel that we positively aided the villagers in their pursuit of dignity and pride.
Dawn Strohmeyer, University of Minnesota

The Dominican Republic is a beautiful country filled with the most friendly, hospitable, and community oriented people I have encountered in my entire life. This experience allowed me to see aspects of my own personality that I had never noticed before, and while I can't change them overnight I am thankful for the awareness. While the adventure tour made me feel like I could do anything I wanted, working in the village is what changed my life.
Alicia Travis, University of Oregon

Phenomenally liberating. If you are constantly aware of what's happening around you, you'll learn a plethora about culture, while feeling the most alive that you have in a long while. Thanks to the leaders and brainchild of IST.
Jonathan Holtz, Penn State

The children were so excited to see us in the morning that they would chase our truck, and they were overjoyed just to have our individual attention. And nothing was better than being able to provide a family with a new house in a village that would enable their children to go to school and live in a community. The trip was an amazing learning experience.
Susan Landgraff, UC Santa Barbara

The whole tour was a lot of fun. Kept us busy constantly and gave me the chance to try things I probably wouldn't get a chance to do at home. Overall it was great and I had a blast.
Germaine Halderman, CSU Sacramento

The adventure tour showed us a little bit of everything this country has to offer. Each location was so different from the next and allowed us the opportunities to experience Dominican culture. All the activities were so fun and challenging at the same time. I was so touched by every person I got to know.
Vanessa Almerico, University of Washington

The experience in the Dominican Republic has changed the way I view life and its expectations. One should thrive to reach personal goals of happiness instead of materialistic goals. We have to realize that life will only give you problems that you can overcome. By giving my time and service to the people of the Dominican Republic I realized that life is beautiful no matter what oppositions are thrown our way.
Julie Cortez, UCLA

I was able to witness the riches the Dominican Republic had to offer such as the people, culture and scenery. As a witness to these beauties my attitude for life has become more at ease and I realize that I should appreciate all that I have and not complain about the thing I really don't need. This program did a wonderful job broadening our horizons about the Dominican Republic and I feel that everyone should experience the "joy" of the remarkable country.
Kathleen Bryce, Michigan State

It was the greatest experience of my life. There was so much I learned and so much I will take with me for the rest of my life. Absolutely amazing.
Marta Kosteiny, University of Colorado

This trip was a "mind-blowing" experience. It taught me so much that I had not yet discovered about myself. The biggest and most basic of my lessons learned was to not take what I have for granted; not to get bent out of shape if my food is cold when it's served because I should be thankful just for the fact that I have food. Between the company I kept and the land I briefly inhabited, this was the most character-building atmosphere I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Not only did I learn about myself but I also learned how to be a better, more responsible tourist at a crucial time. I will be more aware of my surroundings while I am a lone young traveler and will do the same when I start my own family.
Casey Berthelot, Louisiana State

I would rate the Crossroads project as excellent. It taught me many things & opened the door to many opportunities that I would not be able to experience if it was not for this project.
Juri Imura, West Virginia University

My experience in the Dominican Republic was life changing. The word "starving" has a changed meaning in my mind. I have taken it out of my vocabulary and often openly question others of its validity in their life when they use it. Through my pictures I am able to re-focus on my goal whenever I lose sight of it. The people in the pictures are real, the experience is real, it is not a commercial on TV. I lived it, and it will forever live in me.
Christina Del Tatto, University of Michigan

I learned a lot about myself and I feel so grateful to work with the children. I would love to do it again.
Melissa Lavigne, Florida State

I've had the time of my life. The kids here are enough to make you want to move here or adopt. I would love love love love to come back on staff here next year. I'm so glad I chose to do this and I can't wait to spread the word about it.
Erin Ricketts, University of Nebraska

UC Santa Barbara: Crossroads is perfect. My whole outlook on life has changed so that ISV would receive the highest rating possible.
Ryan Daugherty, UC Santa Barbara

I felt that we made a difference in the lives of countless Dominicans either through the construction, our songs, skits, smiles, bringing them food or just taking the time to talk with them; but the truth is that these amazing people did us an equally valuable service - they opened our eyes to the blessed life we have been given and have inspired me to keep giving as much of my time and hope as possible, because it is only in giving that we fully appreciate what we have. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to go on this project and would drop everything to do it again right now.
Johnna Booth, University of Central Florida

This was the best thing I could've ever done! I met so many fun people and had many life-changing experiences. The overall experience was definitely a 10
Lindsey Baker, Arizona State

I could never put a number on how this experience was. It will never be high enough. These kids and adults taught me so much about myself. The world and others, yet made me question them all as well. I fell in love with these people in two weeks and I will forever be in debt to these people for helping me find myself.
Kim Jensen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

I feel extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity to experience the Dominican Republic and undergo something that could not be taught in a classroom or a book. My life has forever been changed in a way that I am so appreciative for. As stated by Helen Keller, the following quote sums up my entire journey: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
Chelsey Clugston, Michigan State

This ranks as one of the most meaningful experiences of my life because I grew as a person and realized the endless world travel options available to me.
Caitlin Henderson, UCLA

There were moments on this trip tour when I was so filled up with gratitude to be alive that I wouldn't change it for anything. I have had the most productive, life changing, enjoyable summer of my life. It was perfect.
Taylor Tipton, CSU Sacramento

I have to say that this experience has been the best of my life and anyone would be lucky to go on it.
Mysty Gerald, Washington State

I would definitely recommend this to anyone I know! I have had the time of my life and it has helped me to grow so much as a person. The benefits of the experience are countless and I loved every minute of it.
Christi Cramer, University of Illinois

I have had an unbelievable & unexplainable time and my memories of this experience and all I have learned will be with me forever. Thanks ISV.
Kenda Blasing, University of Minnesota

This was the best experience that I have ever had. It definitely changed me for the better.
Alysha Ranson, University of Colorado

ISV has a great program going & it is an amazing idea to not only experience 2 weeks of social/conservation work, but also see a whole different side of the country through an additional 2 weeks of adventure tour. It had been a great learning experience.
Laynah Bible, Purdue University

I was really touched by the connections I made with the people & children.
Brooke Moore, UC San Diego

Incredible! Hands on is the best way to go. The things I've seen could never be described to me. This trip has been educational and inspirational to continue service work. I look forward to sharing my experiences with others.
Heather Abbey, University of Oregon

I would love to return, that's how great it was.
Regina Bonilla, University of Central Florida

It is very hard to sum up the feelings into a few sentences. You have to live it to understand. I never believed I would go on a trip like this. And I'm glad I have. It's been one of the best experiences of my life. I definitely recommend it to everyone. I had an excellent time. Learned from all so much about the DR as well as other people around the world. It has definitely made me much more open- minded and grateful for what I have. I hoped I helped the DR as much as it helped me!
Evelina Dolesjova, Czech Republic

It's an amazing experience and you just have to experience it for yourself. Loved the project and the tou. It's really hard to choose one over the other. Got so much more out of the whole journey than I ever thought I would.
Yvonne Moriarty, Luxemburg

The ISV Program gives you an opportunity to have a nice experience, be usefule, get to learn a new culture, make new friends and have fun! I really enjoyed the trip and learned a lot. Wonderful experience!
Jenniver Kulve, Netherlands

It was the most magical experience of my life and I have decided I wanna come back and teach in this kindergarten forever. Totally awesome experience! Thank you! Most amazing experience of my life! Groovy! Thanks ISV- You're awesome!
Kate Blackman, UK

A very worthwhile experience which gives you the chance to learn more about different cultures and yourself as well as making new friends from many different places. Overall was a great experience.
Emma Scott