Dear Community Service Nepal ’17 Putney Students,

What. A. Trip. Three weeks ago, 17 wide-eyed and anxious teenagers boarded a plane bound for the Kingdom of Nepal. Motivations varied. Nerves were on end. Past travel experiences ranged from first time using a passport to third time to Asia this year. Who knew we could feel so scared and so excited at the same time?

Questions were on your mind. Where was our first stop? What is the airport like in Hong Kong? Who’s gonna get sick first? Can I wear a tank top? What does traveling mean to me, and how does this experience fit into the bigger picture of my life? Will I make friends?

Well, we did our best to answer all of your questions and guide you throughout your adventure as a traveler instead of a tourist. This is more than a line item on your college application or resume. This is real life—raw, hard, beautiful, complicated, full of ups and downs. It’s the real deal, prepping you for something you can’t even quite yet define. Some of you will understand in a week, some will take months, some will take years. In fact, we hope you continue to unpack all of your memories throughout your (bound-to-be) prosperous futures and life endeavors.

We leave you with these few takeaways:

• Give everyone a chance. If you haven’t found common ground with someone, or you can easily stereotype them, you don’t know them well enough yet. Everyone has something to teach you, and you have something to teach everyone.
• You have been warmly welcomed by dozens of strangers along the way. How is it that these individuals are so open and accepting of our presence? What can you learn from their hospitality, kindness, and willingness to help? What will this look like in your life?
• Mountains are the great equalizer. No matter how big you think you are, the mountains are still bigger. They put you in your place and knock your ego off its feet. Let this humble you, comfort you, and keep you grounded. Remember how tough the mountains are, and how you didn’t let that stop you.
• Buddha’s hand always faces out. He is a giver. Throughout this service trip, we did the best we could to contribute to the community, without expectation. But we challenge you to take it deeper, further, and longer next time. Ask even more questions. Push yourself even harder. Don’t settle for the status quo, not only in your travels, but in your life itself. And, like Buddha, strive for compassion and to live a life devoted to benefiting others.

In our first blog post, we expressed five hopes for our trip, one for every prayer flag color. Growth, joy, mother nature, community, courage. We hope you found each, but we also hope you found more than what you were looking for. We hope you return home with new eyes and fresh perspectives. We hope you come back to Nepal and climb more mountains.

And most important, we hope you stay in touch.

Safe travels, namaste, and best of luck,

Megan & Ady