Crumbling cement buildings, white paint peeling at the doorframes and barred windowsills, shacks of debris and twisted metal, bare feet and calloused hands — my first weeks in the Dominican Republic elicited, first and foremost, awareness. I became more and more aware of the many grievous details I had initially tried to overlook. Before my [...]

“The point is not to get down on ourselves but to awaken from a lonely hypocrisy. We are all in this together. Better to feel our solidarity in sin and our need for forgiveness than to cling to a phony righteousness” (Brackley, 30). This quote by Brackley in his book “The Call to Discernment” could [...]

Being a photojournalist, drawn to photograph some of my more profound moments in the Dominican Republic, I have struggled to express myself in a way that is mindful of the humanity of my subjects in the midst of communicating what I hope is a compelling message. I don’t want to be seen as a naïve [...]

If you’ve met me, you are probably well aware that “Moon River” is my favorite song of all time. Not only is it the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard, but its lyrics define life for me. I believe everyone has their own “Moon River,” that is everyone has their own personal path through life. [...]

Arts & Sciences junior Max Schabla is currently studying and volunteering in the Dominican Republic with the Encuentro Dominicano program. He shares his experiences working with the Dominican people. Standing on a beautiful, sun-drenched beach on the northwestern coast of the Dominican Republic, it was hard for me to wrap my mind around the sharp [...]