Reflections

Before my trip, I was so excited, so confident, and so ready. After arriving, I became petrified and said to myself, "What on earth was I thinking?" The first couple of weeks at CROW were difficult as well, I was adjusting to new people, and new place, and a new time zone! Over time though, CROW really did become my home, and I am so sad to leave. My confidence in new places has grown in leaps and bounds, as has my willingness to try new things and my ability to direct others. I had many things planned for my trip that I came nowhere near to doing, though I am quite happy with the things I did end up doing and would do it exactly the same were I to do it over again. I have been given many chances I would never had back home and I am thankful from the bottom of my heart that Linworth allowed me to do these things. The staff has taken to constantly asking me if I plan to return, which I always answer yes. I am hoping that while at home, I can play some part in helping CROW until I have saved up enough money for a return vist, hopefully the summer after my second year of college.
  My stay at CROW has reaffirmed my desire to make a career out of working with animals and has also widened my horizons as well. Looking back, I cannot exactly remember what I expected CROW to be like, though I do know that the reality is even better than I could of hoped. I dreamed about fostering a monkey, but I never truely thought it would be a reality. I cannot thank the CROW staff enough for giving me, still young at only 18, a chance to do something most people will not accomplish in a lifetime. I feel so blessed and lucky.