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Mandy Reina writes...

...about her experience while volunteering in New Zealand.

Well...I am home now. And I really really wish I were back in New Zealand. Two weeks was not long enough and I can't believe that it has already come and gone!

It has been the most amazing experience of my life and one that I have learned so much from! I will never forget the people I met, lived with, and worked with.

Leaving New Zealand and all of my new friends, was 34095732497 more difficult than leaving home was. I did not want to leave. My feet felt like lead as I walked into the airport to leave the place I had come to know and love so much.

Telling everyone bye was really tough. In just two weeks we had all become so close. I admit it was like living in some insane reality show...but it was so much fun! We all got along wonderfully and had the best time.

I will never forget the volunteers I lived with. I learned so much from them. The fact that we were from around the world and yet shared this common interest...brought us together in the most unique way. The blend of culture and customs was interesting and always amusing. We were all so different...but still very much the same.

GVN is an amazing program. I hope to take part in the other projects someday. I came home a new person after my two weeks on the program. And I couldn't be more thankful. I learned so much about New Zealand and the environment. I saw things that I never thought I would. I took part in something amazing and I am SO GLAD that I did!

I've been home for 3 days...and all I can think about is GVN and my two weeks in NZ. I've looked at all of my pictures a thousand times....retold funny stories and memories so much that my mom has told me to stop talking about them....ha ha ha.

Honestly though...this has been a life changing experience. I pray that this program lasts for many years to come. I had many second thoughts about coming...and I was so afraid...but I am so thankful that I followed through because it was 100%, hands down, the most amazing thing I have ever taken part in.