By Caleb Everson ’26
I had a great experience going to the Dominican Republic, and believe it achieved its purpose in broadening my horizons as a student-athlete. This was my first time out of the country, so naturally I was excited, but also did not know what to expect.
A few things stood out in terms of the impacts of this trip. First, immersing yourself in another culture helps you understand the one you come from better. Right after touching down, I was able to tell a difference in the mindset and attitude Dominicans exhibit. Generally, everybody was so much more relaxed. Maybe there was more of a contrast because we arrived right after the high stress of finals week, but it was clear that the locals were not the workaholics that I often see in America. There is a lot to learn from this more relaxed demeanor and how it relates to happiness.
Baseball is so engrained in the culture of the Dominican Republic, so it’s not surprising that this feeling continued as we started playing games. None of the players on the opposing teams ever appeared uptight, nervous, or worried about the outcome of the game and their performance. They were simply playing the game they love and enjoying every second of it. This was incredibly refreshing as an athlete and served as a reminder of what playing sports should be about, even at the college level.
Another impactful part of the trip was learning about the history, both in our trip to the sugar mill in San Gregorio de Nigua and to the Colonial Zone. Learning the history was crucial to understanding the Dominicans and their culture. Overall, my favorite part was interacting with the locals, whether it was kids watching our games, other players, or those we connected with while doing community service.
Speaking Spanish was fun and it showed me how talking in another’s language opens them up and breaks down barriers, which is crucial for understanding each other. After getting over the hump of being afraid to make mistakes while speaking, these interactions became much more enjoyable and fruitful.
I am so thankful to all those who made the trip possible, and for the experiences we received as Wabash student-athletes.
