The Week That Turned Into A Month

By Sierra - 4 week intern

A month ago, I came here thinking I would spend one week here as a photography intern, taking some videos, experiencing different cultures and environments. As that week came to an end, I realized I wasn’t ready to leave. I had made friendships I never expected, connected with the local community, laughed until I cried, and felt a sense of belonging.

Somewhere along the way, I realized this trip wasn’t just about photography. It was about people. It was about community, kindness, friendship, and stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I had spent years talking about traveling and focusing on my hobby of creating videos, but there I always made a reason not to go. This year I took the leap and left my stable engineering career and my life back home because life is too short to keep putting off the things that make you feel alive.

I’ve been through a lot in my life, and sometimes I think of myself as a survivor, someone who keeps moving forward despite the pain of the past, always searching for something good in what comes next. That’s why I felt so honored being able to draw a tattoo for the mahout of Boon Rott, known here as the survivor. Now there is a little piece of me here in the middle of these fields, surrounded by elephants, water buffalo, and some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met.

If I had left after a week, I would have never gotten to actually get a better understanding of this program and the community. I probably would have continued on my travels and then eventually gone back into my typical corporate America job. Now, I’m leaving with a shift in my mindset, as there's so much more to life than my job, deadlines, and crunching numbers. Sometimes you just have to be brave enough to stay a little longer, follow the unexpected path, and let life show you what’s next.

Thank you, Kindred Spirit, for the moments I won’t forget, and the bravery to chase my dreams.