Fear Of The Unknown..





My initial reaction coming into this service learning trip was fear.  Fear of the unknown, fear because I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  But all of that changed once I met with my NGO.  I was placed with Caritas and even though the first day was horrible due to not being able to navigate the public transportation system well, it turned out to be a great experience. 





The first day at Caritas, we (Crystal and I) met with our supervisors, Matthias Gmelin and Thomas Binder.  As we sat in their office, they gave us what we call a "crash course" of what their organization is responsible for. I tried to do my research on this particular organization but not knowing how to read German, I left it to them to explain.  They explained what Caritas does for asylum seekers in the Dachau area, the asylum process, and the ethnic groups that are most prevalent to seek asylum. 

 As the days went by, that initial "fear" turned into confusion and empathy.  As I sat in on a counseling session, one man from Sierra Leone would have brought me to tears if it wasn't for me trying to hold it all together.  I have been trained to observe people, and as I observe the mans body language and facial expressions, I knew right there that it changed me.  I can't just sit on the other side of the table and not feel what he is feeling.  This is not the end.....

 -Amalia

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