Alumni Interview with Rylee Rosenquist

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I had never been outside of the US before and I was looking for an adventure before I graduated high school. I knew I might not ever get an opportunity like this again, and I have a passion for volunteering and meeting new people, so I knew I had to go. My family and I never did a lot of traveling when I was growing up, and none abroad, so I was craving a new experience and to explore the world I hadn’t seen before. I was nervous at first, but once I got there I knew I was in store for an amazing time and unforgettable memories.

Why did you choose Bright Light Volunteers?

This program was brought to my attention by a teacher at my high school who was taking some students on the trip that year. I said I would think about it, but honestly didn’t think I’d actually end up going. On the one hand, I didn’t have the money to pay my way, and on the other, I was worried it would sound too dangerous for my parents to give their permission. However, my teacher insisted on me joining them, and found scholarships for me and encouraged me to fundraise. She talked to my parents and convinced them this was an experience I needed. I had no idea how right she was. I couldn’t believe I was actually going, and to this day it is still one of my most cherished memories.

What was your favorite part about Cuba?

My favorite part about Cuba was the connection I made with my host families in Viñales and Havana. I truly felt like a part of the family although I was only with them a short while. In addition, it was great to get away from my electronics for a while and experience life disconnected. I loved exploring the areas around where we stayed and taking in the Cuban countryside as well as city life in Havana. While the people were undoubtedly the best part of the trip, the breathtaking sights didn’t hurt either.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

As I previously mentioned, this was my first time outside the US where I was born and raised, and I had no idea what to expect of Cuba and the people I would meet other than what I had heard in the news. What made my experience extraordinary was the immense growth and development in my maturity I saw while in Cuba as a result of having my eyes opened to another part of the world. I realized we had much more in common than we had differences. Leaving this trip, I knew what it meant to be a global citizen.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff were a great help in leading us through our trip and helping us feel safe and comfortable. I knew I was in good hands. They guided us through different locations, helped translate to have better conversations with people, helped us exchange money and get WiFi cards so we could get access to the internet for a few hours throughout the week, and just overall improved my experience with their uplifting attitudes and wisdom! They were wonderful people to meet and spend time with.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

I don’t think I would change a single thing — except maybe not buying so many souvenirs! This was one of the most unique and special experiences of my life, and while I’m sure I made a mistake here and there (let’s just say I don’t have a natural gift for farming) there were always people to help me and guide me with the most grace and patience. While we were there to help them, I don’t think the people we met in Cuba will ever understand just how much they touched and helped me in my life’s journey.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

A typical day for us when we were doing farm work in Viñales would consist of helping out on the farm in the morning, usually free time at some point, an excursion around the area, and not to mention three delicious meals a day! At night we would explore sometimes, or hang out playing games or chatting, but would make sure to get a good night’s sleep for the next day! In Havana, most of our time was spent exploring the city through museums or restaurants. There, we got more of the tourist experience which helped me realize how much I appreciated the authentic experience I was getting, not just a topical one most tourists get.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

I loved spending time with our host families during free time. We would play dominoes and talk (I got to practice my Spanish!), one night we all sat down and watched TV together, and another night my host mom braided my hair into a beautiful crown braid! These were the times when we were all becoming a family, and what made it so hard to leave. While many people may participate in this program and go to the same places as I did or do the same activities, I know that my connection with the people there is one that is unique to me and something we will always share.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

We stayed in pairs in rooms that were part of “casitas” owned by homeowners who rented out spaces in their homes for us to stay. I liked staying there because it allowed us to truly connect with the Cuban people. I would have had a completely different and less fulfilling experience if we had stayed in a hotel or other accommodation separate from the very people we were trying to establish a relationship with. The accommodations were actually one of my favorite parts of the trip, because making those authentic connections was so much better than any experience some five-star resort could offer, I guarantee it.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

This will be a great adventure that will stay with you for the rest of your life, so soak up every minute of it! Take every opportunity you have to make a connection with someone! The memories you take away won’t come from the things you do, but the people you do them with. Take lots of pictures and write everything down so you don’t forget it! Give your whole self in everything you do, leave nothing unsaid or undone, because you don’t know if you’ll ever get to go back. Remember why you’re there and be present to the best of your ability. That was more than one thing, but I guess my main point is to be present and enjoy yourself!

Would you recommend Bright Light Volunteers to others? Why?

Without a shadow of a doubt I would recommend this trip and any Bright Light Volunteers program to others. In fact, I myself am waiting for the day I can return to Cuba and reunite with my Cuban family. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I almost didn’t take it. Take a chance just like I did and I promise you won’t regret it. I think about my time in Cuba every day, and it played a special role in me becoming who I am today. You never know what this experience could do for you.

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

I feel the biggest benefit is having your horizons broadened to a whole new place you’ve never experienced before, and people you would never meet otherwise. With these new experiences comes a special sort of self-discovery and it alters your perspective of the world. Before going to Cuba, I had a very limited view of the world and my place in it. After just one week in another country, I was able to begin understanding just how big the world is, and how much more of it I still need to explore.

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?

As I mentioned before, I came out of this experience with a new understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, and being a citizen of the world before a citizen anywhere else. This experience allowed me to discover a part of myself I didn’t previously know existed, and I’m very grateful for that. Not to mention, I still keep in touch with the people I met and came to love in Cuba. We talk when we can, and I am so glad they are still a part of my life. I promised them one day I will return to see them again.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

To me, meaningful travel is how I would describe exactly what we did on that trip. By staying with Cuban families and working side by side with the workers on the farm, having meals and parties with the Cuban people and creating memories together that will forever connect us, I believe we truly made the best out of our abroad experience. I would not be able to say the same thing if I just went on vacation or a cruise that stopped in Havana. This trip means much more to me than any vacation I have taken or any other place I have travelled to because I stepped outside of my comfort zone and made authentic connections and memories.