College students across the country take advantage of program opportunities that enhance their academic experience.  One West Virginia Wesleyan College student has seen first hand devastation of property, complete disruption of personal lives, new cultures, and changing political climate in twelve months.  In fact, the past six month’s off-campus opportunities have resulted in a transformational year for Elizabeth Gillispie, a senior criminal justice major from Valley Head, WV.

Gillispie’s adventures began in December with a sociology trip to Chiapas, Mexico where she learned about the cultures of the Mexican and the indigenous people, and about the conflicts between two governments. “This was my first trip out of the country, my first time flying, and my first long trip without my family,” says Gillispie.  “I was initially terrified but my fears were quickly put aside when the adventure began.  I was awed by the sites, smells, and sounds of a different country and I was excited about my first true taste of Mexican cuisine.  While the food was fantastic, the trip more importantly changed my view of the world.”
   
“I had never been interested in politics,” adds Gillispie.   “However, after this trip I found myself drawn to political issues, especially international issues.”

Shortly after the trip to Mexico, the Randolph County native jumped at the opportunity to attend the Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) Conference in Nashville, TN.  “I was immersed in new ideas about foreign policy, global human rights issues, and trade issues,” notes Gillispie.  “This conference changed and solidified many of my values and ideas on a variety of topics such as free trade vs. fair trade and human rights.”

While both experiences significantly impacted the Wesleyan student’s political and social views, it was her next trip that forever affected Gillispie.  In March, she helped organize and plan Wesleyan’s Alternative Spring Break trip to Gulf Port, MS.  Nineteen people were organized into a work team and the group traveled in two mini vans and a fifteen passenger van for 17 hours.  When they arrived at the Gateway United Methodist Church, they moved in with several other work teams where they shared four showers and one kitchen.  All of the groups were scattered throughout the church, sleeping in classrooms and the sanctuary on the floor.

The Wesleyan group was assigned to work on a house owned by the Levine family, an elderly couple.  “I was handed a sheet of paper with directions to the house and a small description of the damage to the home,” says Gillispie.  “Also included on that sheet was a small description of the emotional damage to the couple.  We were told that ‘if we did not lift a hammer, if we did not tear down one wall, we must listen to their story.  That is what these people really needed’ and with those instructions we departed to work.  We took down, painted and put the shutters back up and basically tore down one half of the house.  On our last day, I had many mixed feelings about leaving the family’s home in such an unfinished condition.  However, despite the havoc we had wrecked on the Levine’s home by tearing down walls and ceilings, we did help them heal because we could see a difference in their demeanor by the end of the week.”

“What we found were people still in a state of shock seven months after Katrina,” adds the Tygarts Valley High School graduate.  “We helped the Levines renew their sense of pride in themselves and their home.  This was such an amazing trip both in learning about physical and emotional devastation.  We learned so much about each other as a group and by those who were so deeply affected by the hurricane.  No one will ever know fully what we experienced in Gulf Port without experiencing it themselves.  The work teams of the past, present, and future are a special breed of people in this world.  One of the mottos for the week was “we work with people, not for people.”  Any person can work for the victims of a disaster, but only the few who work with the people of the Gulf Coast really understand the hurt, pain, rebuilding, and healing that is taking place and will continue for many years.”

When the Wesleyan group returned, they learned that another college group followed and began putting new dry wall in the house.  “I was so relieved,” adds Gillispie.  “I know they will be ok.”
           
A trip to Mexico, participating in a national conference, and the Alternative Spring Break trip would be an amazing year for most students.  However, Gillispie’s year was still not finished.  In May, she traveled to Bolivia with a group of Wesleyan students and professors in Wesleyan’s May Term class, exposing her and her classmates to new cultures and the struggles that arise between cultures. 

“This travel experience not only allowed me to venture into another country and immerse myself in another culture as a student, but it also allowed me to explore my personal beliefs and ideas about myself,” continues Gillispie.  “I saw a changing political landscape, watched political rallies, and rode a bike down a one-lane mountain road for many miles.  The experience gave me a newly-discovered confidence within myself.”

“My junior year at Wesleyan has strengthened my beliefs, values, and confidence,” says Gillispie.  “I have become more well-rounded and more open-minded.  I have changed my future plans—I now want to explore other states and countries and I want a career that will allow me to do so.  I also plan on returning to the Gulf Coast next year after another hurricane season.  So many people’s lives are affected by these storms and I have realized money is simply not enough.  No matter how we are raised, where we are from, or what culture we obtain our values, we are all different and we all have so much to learn from each other.  I never thought a girl from a small rural town in West Virginia would ever have the opportunity to experience and learn all that I have.  I will always be grateful to my family, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Wesleyan mentors for this transforming year.”

Each one of the trips were supported in part by the long-time partnership with Corella and Betram F. Bonner.