<p>oh wow, i wish i could go to africa...
i've been to el salvador twice to do the same type of thing. i don't care if it sounds cliche (and i'm not writing my essay about it anyway...)--it is seriously the most rewarding thing you could ever do at our age.</p>
<p>and, meow360, many people would agree with your point, but i think that it's a bit too isolationist. yes, we have problems in america, but that doesn't make the rest of the world any less important. we're all people, no matter where we live, and we're all in need in some way.</p>