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SXU Senior Sara Koncel, of Shorewood, Ill., had the unique experience of substitute teaching at St. Martin's Childcare Center in Belize City when the regular teacher became ill.

"Those kids learn and think and react exactly the same way they do here in the States," Koncel said. "They have the same needs, the same desires, not necessarily the same dreams and aspirations, but they still have dreams and aspirations. Halfway around the world, three-year-olds are all the same."

The group also took advantage of the Sisters of Mercy presence in Belize by serving at Mercy Clinic, which provides health services, including home visits and a daily meal program for senior citizens.

"This was an opportunity of a life time for our students to take part in the long-standing tradition of Mercy service," said Sister Sanders. "The experiences on this trip speak to the very core of the values we hope to instill at Saint Xavier University, the first Sisters of Mercy institution of higher learning in the United States."

Koncel said she would definitely be searching for ways to take more service trips. "You can sign me up now. It's just so fulfilling to go on a service trip. You take ten days out of your life and you make such an impact on a child."