CBA Junior Reflects on Montana Immersion Trip
November 11, 2024
In late October, 10 students and two faculty members traveled on a service immersion trip to the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Montana. They spent a week working with the children at the school, in addition to exploring the area around the Blackfeet Reservation where the school is located. Below is a first person reflection from CBA junior Julian McFarlane.
Going into this trip, I was just excited to be able to fly to a state out west. I was hoping to enjoy the big skies and beautiful land alongside a few of my friends. While this did happen – and I really enjoyed it – what I gained from this experience turned out to be much more than just a good time. This immersion trip had an impact on me as a person. It taught me to appreciate what I have and the value of joy and kindness.
When I signed up for this trip, I was looking forward to a week off of school. This much needed brain break provided so much more than just relaxation. It showed me that I was truly lucky. While traveling around the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, I saw many people who were very unlucky. Many adults dealt with addiction issues, while many children had to suffer the effects.
The students of De La Salle Blackfeet School, although wonderful, were very far behind in their education due to a lack of attention and dedication to these children. Being exposed to a situation such as this has really shown me just how lucky I am to have grown up in the way that I have. I have two loving parents, three fantastic brothers, go to an outstanding school, and I have wonderful friends. Not many people are as fortunate as I am, and this trip has really brought that to light in my eyes. I am truly grateful for not just what I have, but for how my life has taken shape over the years.
Despite the tough situation, the Blackfeet tribe is likely the happiest group of people that I have ever come across in my life. I met a myriad of kind and joyous people, especially in the De La Salle Blackfeet School. Not only were they kind to each other, but they also accepted our group with open arms. I would never see anyone left out or dejected. Everyone was so uplifting, too. Whenever another member of the community would be upset, nobody would stop until this person was happy again. This does not only apply to the adults, but the children as well. The Blackfeet culture is one of joy and unity. Practicing this brought me boundless joy and fulfillment in only one short week. While on this immersion trip, I learned just how powerful joy and kindness can be. The Blackfeet Tribe has shown me that by being kind to one another, we can propel the whole community forward and benefit not just socially, but in every way both individually and as a whole.
Overall, I have come away from this immersion trip as a better person through and through. I will never forget the people that I met and the students that I tutored. Even if I could not change each life of the 18 scholars of the Little Flower Academy at DLSBS, I know that they have impacted me. I really hope to go back again on this trip to see everybody again. If there is one thing that I learned from this experience, it is that kindness brings out the best in people. It costs nothing to be kind, so I will do my best to bring happiness to each and every person in my community.