Bernard

Bernard

Biological Sciences Major,
From Palm Springs, CA

I chose to become involved in this program because to me this is not considered a vacation, but a stage where I can achieve one of my life goals – to push for global leadership and become an ambassador, representing UCI and even the U.S.

In the Summer of 2009, I traveled to South Africa with the Palm Springs High School “Spirit of the Sands” marching and symphonic band. A large group of elite members, including myself, played a medley of American music at Capetown City Hall, Afrikaans School of Music, Guguletu and Soweto Townships, and Johannesburg. Through this music program I’ve learned how to appreciate different cultures and that music is the universal language.

I chose to go on this trip to dig deeper into the next level of cultural perspectives: I want to conduct projects beneficial to global sustainability/cultural immersion and to learn life lessons that can’t be learned from a textbook. I’m most excited to have a cultural exchange with the indigenous people of Costa Rica and to show them magic.