Global New York Experience - To John Berger

To John Berger:
Global encounters- New York was not only just a fun and enjoyable experience, but an eye-opening one as well. Spending the week with 27 guys from your school doing service work to help the poor, is not usually the average’s high-school student’s idea of an ideal vacation, but I would not trade this experience for the world. Not only did we bond with our friends on this project, but we met new people and all came together as one. This trip really gave me the impression that only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. Sometimes in our everyday lives we get caught in the hype of everything going on around us, and begin to only care about ourselves. This week was a step back from all the hype and the busyness, and we got the chance to reach out to other people for a change. It made me realize that we all can be materialistic at times, but you can not judge a man on what he has, you must see past that and judge a man for his character and value. On Global New York we were given the opportunity to compare and contrast the riches and the poor of the city. After getting to experience both, I came to realize that the poor seemed to have a better outlook on life. I feel as if the poor try and live everyday to the fullest, and even though they don’t have a lot of materialistic goods they sure have a lot of heart. The rich seem to get caught up in their jobs and families and when they see a beggar on the street they just keep on walking. I think the poor, by far, have a better understanding to live life to the fullest. It is almost impossible to find happiness when you only care about yourself and don’t take the time out to help others, and I learned this first hand on GNY. I came to realize that a man who serves for the good of others is serving for the good of himself. After working with the poor for eight days it really opened my eyes, before I always thought the poor people were mean and scary but know I know that they are some of the nicest and most caring people in the world.

Yours Truly,
Will Trainor Jr.

(Photograph Jim Scholl NYC Subway)