By: Delaney Loving

Right now, I’m on the way home from two weeks in India and I can’t help but think about the differences between India and where I’m from.

India has taught me many lessons – the biggest of which is that a home is a home no matter where it is, as long as you are surrounded by the people you care about. When I was in Agora, I felt very accepted to the point that I felt at home. Even though I was only there for five days, the people were so welcoming. I felt connected to them in a very personal way. What surprised me, then, was that I usually only experience this feeling when I am surrounded by people I have known for a very long time. The people of Agora were so quick to welcome me and make me a part of their community through almost every interaction, whether it was making sure I was fed or making space for me in their house.

This hospitality has given me a lot to think about in my life and has made me question a lot of the things I do. But, if there is one thing I am sure about, it’s that I felt at home there. Agora made me realize how important it is to be selfless. There is so much value in helping others and welcoming them into our lives, which is one of the most important things I hope to carry with me from this experience.