When I was finally starting to feel at home on the USP Samoa campus, we were told to pack our bags and get ready for the next adventure. We piled up in our van, Debbie, and took off for the village. Looking back, living in a rural village of Samoa was one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my life. I have always considered myself a person who appreciates the comforts of the United States, but the lifestyle in Lotofaga opened my eyes to a completely different world. I was dropped off with my Samoan family and settled into the fale, or open Samoan house.
My entire family of nine found a way to get comfortable in a space that resembled the size of a dorm room at Rollins. For nine days I took showers outside, became acquainted with insects that belonged in Jurassic Park, practiced dance routines with the ladies of the village, and became part of a family. By the third day I was able to name the people who greeted me on my way to school and felt comfortable enough to stop at a random house and use the restroom. There were moments when I felt as if I had been living in Lotofaga my entire life.
However, there were personal challenges. For a couple of days, my house didn’t have water due to the drought. This is common in the villages of Samoa, and it made me think of the access I have to water back home. On the second day without a shower, I was momentarily frustrated. Then I remembered that this was just a taste of Samoan life. My Samoan family lives this reality day after day, even after I leave. During these nine days, I learned lessons that cannot be taught in a classroom, lecture, or by word of mouth. Luckily, I am able to return in a few weeks to celebrate White Sunday with them. I am excited for the next lesson.