In the spring 2014, I applied to participate in a volunteer opportunity that would take place January 2015 in Ghana through an organization called Global Brigades. Upon being accepted to participate I spent the entire fall 2015 semester fundraising and preparing for the brigade’s time in-country; however, the trip was relocated to Honduras due to external factors in Ghana – namely the growing concern of Ebola. This relocation to Honduras caused quite a few members to drop out, but I decided to stay the course as I decided I was not participating in the interest of being a tourist; instead, my interest was experiencing something new with the intention to use what it is learned in the classroom and sharing it with those in need. This concept was stressed by the organization’s then president and vice president, two people who have become two of my greatest mentors, role models and friends. Texas Global Business Brigades (GBB) has ultimately become one of the greatest privileges I am thankful for in my life – it is fueled by the concept of empowering those in need around the world with information, resources and an opportunity to become self-sustainable. I have been on three Business & Microfinance Brigades – two to Honduras and one to Panama – and while the organization strives to educate and empower those in need in rural communities, it has also both taught and empowered me to do greater things. Moreover with every trip and every involvement stemming from GBB, I have learned to become increasingly teachable, adaptive and appreciative. During my first brigade I became intrigued by the Medical Brigade through conversation and observation; upon returning to campus I applied to and was accepted to the Healthyhorns Peer Educator Program (HHPE). This program that has further inspired me to take on new social responsibilities and teachings on campus. Through HHPE I have had the opportunity to make a positive difference on campus, learn from all the individuals in my cohort and get a taste for public health. I am currently in my third and final HHPE semester, but am taking what I have learned through both this program and GBB and undertaking new roles. One of these roles has also been a growing ambition of mine for two years now – taking part in a medical Brigade. I have just been accepted to Winter 2017 UT Medical Brigade to Honduras and I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to utilize and share all that I have learned in a new way.