One of our biggest values was to being able to work effectively and efficiently as a team. Our service trip was full of opportunities for teamwork. Our efforts comprised of cleaning and repairing the facilities of the non-profits we worked with. Through teamwork and communication, we were able to organize, paint, and altogether work very effectively. Furthermore, this made it possible for us to help each other come together to be and act as active citizens.

Staying open to new experiences, new ideas, and new people allows us to gain outside perspectives. On this trip we had the goal of learning and working with the non-profit organizations with an open mindset. Because of this, not only were we able to learn a lot about the organizations, but also the people within those communities. Keeping an open mind made it possible for us to understand and adapt to different situations we encountered. We were also able to get along with each other and make new friends that we may never have had the chance to meet before.

Being in a new environment led us to be curious about our surroundings. Downtown Kansas City is undergoing major renovations and construction to bring the city together. On our cultural day, we were able to talk to locals in this district and gain perspective on the changes the city is making. We also had the opportunity to visit Topeka, Kansas. We tried to visit the Brown v. Board Museum, but it was closed. However, we spent the afternoon exploring Topeka, visiting the capitol building, the Westboro Baptist Church, and the equality houses.