Sarai Patterson

Sarai has always wanted to travel the world and experience its incredible diversity. Through Global Citizen Year, she is excited to overcome the language barrier and learn firsthand about a completely unfamiliar culture. She spends much of her time painting, making music, volunteering, and spending time with the people she loves, and she hopes to be able to use her skills to make a difference while in Ecuador.

Minga

Sarai Patterson

2014-04-11

My first experience with Minga came on the Day of the Dead, when I was forcibly ejected from my peaceful slumber at five in the morning, handed a pair of boots and a machete, and pushed out the door with no more direction than “Follow them, today is Minga.” I sleepily splashed through the Lupi...

Los Diablitos

Sarai Patterson

2014-03-05

The world was enveloped in a misty grey drizzle the first time I stepped foot in my little yellow classroom to meet my supervisor, a short, matronly woman named Tania with a kind smile and endearingly mismatched clothing. I was confused at first; I’d thought that I would be teaching my own class. And all the sessions on education...

A Little More Perspective

Sarai Patterson

2013-12-30

It has been almost four months since I stood in line at airport security, trying not to cry as I waved goodbye to my family. Four months since I last saw my mom. Four months since I stood on hot red desert dirt—and I still have yet to post a single thing on this blog! No, it’s not merely...

My Perfect Year

Sarai Patterson

2013-08-29

When people ask where I’m from, I’m not exactly sure what to say because I feel like I’m from so many places and people and experiences. I am from sweet California lemons, rusty swing sets, and mudcastles, but I am just as much a part of the harsh Utah desert. I am from sharp red...