DAY 0.5 March 7, 2026

We left the college at 1:30 p.m. and dropped the students off at our hotel near O’Hare. Felecia and I then managed to return both vehicles to Chicago O’Hare Airport and Uber back in time to enjoy a slice of pizza without getting lost in traffic, which felt like a full days work.

Today carried a mix of apprehension and excitement, with a touch of exhaustion after completing the first eight weeks of the semester. Several of the students on this trip are parents, and for many, this is their first time leaving their families or traveling outside the country. I anticipate we’ll experience both ups and downs as we step out of our comfort zones, but I’m confident we will all learn a great deal along the way.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this experience with others in our group and to learn together in the days ahead. Now, it’s time to rest as 0530 comes early!









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