Peter Sikorski, Tanzania 2014

The trip to Tanzania in 2014 was both extraordinary and humbling. We met such amazing people, and saw such amazing things. At the same time, we saw how hard things were for people who are not as privileged as us just because we were born in America. We forget how lucky we are, and get a bit complacent. Tanzania broadened all our horizon. That’s why I tried to make it a point to have amazing experiences whenever I get the chance.

One of my coolest trips since Tanzania was visiting the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. My Spanish is only a bit better than my Swahili but I was not nervous. My time in Tanzania taught me that in general, people are kind. I was proven right when in Merida, Mexico. My broken Spanish got me far outside the touristy areas, driving to cenotes deep into the jungle. I went cliff jumping while the local kids laugh at me for my terrible form.

I got to see some of the coolest Mayan ruins that people skip over because they are not as popular as the Chichen Itza.

I got to speak to so many people about the Mayan culture that is still going strong today. That was the coolest takeaway from my time in the Yucatan. Seeing how the cultures of the Mayans and Catholic Spaniards combines to form a unique version of the same religion I was born into.

Just like Tanzania, the Yucatan peninsula expanded my horizons and taught me things I may have never learned. My ILE trip awakened this thirst for me to explore, and learn more about other cultures.

Other than Mexico, I have taken trips to both Belgium and Germany. I always make jokes to Germans that it is no wonder they are the leaders in the European Union. I took trains all over Europe. The only place they checked my ticket every single time was in Germany. That’s German efficiency.

I go to graduate school in Middle of Nowhere, Texas. The thing I hear the most from the Texans is that I really used my time here to the fullest. I visited more places in 2 years than some of them did for their whole lives here. That’s another thing I took from my trip to Tanzania. You need

to take advantage of every opportunity you can. You need to make the most of your situation. We saw children walking miles to school but still learning and happy enough to play soccer with me. So when I’m in the Middle of Nowhere, Texas, I should still be able to find great experiences. I don’t know if I will ever be down here again! Might as well visit all the dopest spots around here! To have a dope life, you gotta do dope things.

Camped out in the Grand Canyon, Arizona (dyed my hair black for a little while also):

Hiked to the top of some mountains at Big Bend State Park in Texas:

Hit up the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico:

And found some waterfalls in North Carolina when I was driving home for the summer:

And even in back home, I try to make the most out of every experience offered to me. This is me dancing on stage in front of 4,000 people with DJ Jayhood, a jersey club pioneer! Just saw me having fun, making the most of my time back home before heading back to Texas to finish up my degree.

It’s funny that going to Tanzania is what taught me that you should make the most of what you have no matter where you are, even at home. We are so lucky as Americans to be in a country so rich and full of opportunity. I think that’s the biggest lesson from my ILE trip. I’m so extremely lucky and privileged. I cannot waste any time sitting around not doing anything.

The last thing I want to talk about is how the ILE trip made me realize how important it is to use your privilege to help in any way you can. I felt so invigorated thinking about the prospect of doing service.

There is always so much to do. The work that we did in Tanzania was great, but there was so much more to be done. Not just in Tanzania, but everywhere. When I started graduate school, I immediately started volunteering at a Boys and Girls Club to tutor afterschool. I drove a van picking kids up from their elementary schools so they would not have to walk, and so they would have a place to learn while their parents were working.

Here is me trying to teach them how to dance to the Team Lilman Anthem:

But I want to take my service a bit further. I plan on being a big brother in Big Brother Big Sister program as soon as I am back in Jersey. My ultimate goal is to be on the board of a non-profit to help provide opportunities for kids that grew up in the city like me to have experiences outside of their comfort zones. I have likeminded friends, so maybe we can start our own Non-Profit. My time in Tanzania showed me how a little bit of help can go a long way. It would be a shame not trying to help.

In conclusion, I would say that doing something as amazing as going to Tanzania during such an important time in your life will always have a lasting effect. For me, the biggest things I took from that experience was to be fearless in your adventures, make the most of your opportunities, and give back. I thank Rutgers- Newark, the ILE program, and Dean Walton for such transformative experience.

Thanks!

Peter

PS:

I remember when we were in Zanzibar listening to a band, when Dean Walton told me to be quiet listen to the music and take in the experience. I remind myself of that moment all the time when I catch myself in a moment of beauty. At the Grand Canyon, in the Mayan Ruins, listening to a gypsy jazz band perform in a Library in Mexico… just shut up and take in the experience.