Last summer, when his friends were relaxing and getting ready for their last year of high school, senior Jordan Villasenor was steeped in the culture of El Salvador. In a remote village in an area called Las Trincheras, Villasenor had traveled with Sonoma-based Seeds of Learning to help build a school.
He called the experience “very satisfying” when interviewed earlier this week – one that changed his life in ways he never imagined. “The objective was not just to go and build a school but to interact with the local population and get a feel for them and their culture,” said Villasenor.
He left El Salvador with a new perspective, realizing the importance of appreciating everything that he has. “The trip made things very real for me. There was such extreme poverty and it wasn’t sugar coated in any way. It was very eye opening to see people struggle for the smallest things.”
One thing that struck Villasenor was the notion of connecting – not just donating money for a cause or charity but instead, learning what other people’s lives are about and helping them feel hope again.
“The people of El Salvador were very welcoming. I felt like one of the family during the time that I was there.”
Villasenor went on the Seeds of Learning trip through Summer Search, a high school support program that helps students navigate the college application process. This is his second trip with Summer Search, the first being a three-week Utah wilderness adventure prior to his junior year in high school.
Villasenor has been accepted at six colleges and universities across the United States. He is most interested in attending Dominican University of California in San Rafael and, at press time, was still making that final decision.
