Foster Youth Cultural Exchange: An Experience of Firsts by Organizer, Kate Teague

When I think of think of the Foster Youth Cultural Exchange, I think of all the "firsts". For some travelers it's been the first time traveling outside the United States, for one traveler it was the first time on an airplane, for some it's the first time finding and coordinating a cultural exchange with a community group in the country we're visiting, the first time being a translator, the first time staying in a hostel and so many more. For me, FYCE has been the first time planning a trip beyond a flight and where to stay the first night.

Traveling with a group is such a different experience from traveling individually. Although you give up the autonomy of doing what you want, when you want, the fellowship of travelers and the access to a whole different experience of traveling is what you gain. I think of tour of Soweto given by a youth from the Kliptown Youth Program and learning about the leadership of youth in the anti-apartheid movement; the 3 days a guide from Gabriela spent with us, facilitating many meetings including one with women who worked together to establish childcare and economic empowerment services in an unsanctioned community; our stay on a farm in a Mayan community where we learned about the Guatemalan civil war in a country where people were afraid to talk about it; and a visit to Parliament to hear debate on legislation that would restructure foster care in New Zealand.

As we are planning our trip to Peru, I wonder what the "firsts" will be on this trip and I look forward to the community building and learning we will do as a group of travelers.