Hildegard Abroad: El Zonte, El Salvador Trip Report
After Hildegard’s Spring Study Abroad week in El Zonte, El Salvador, we are back in the classroom and reflecting on trip highlights. We explored the importance of dedication to one's community and how compassion drives the biggest changes. Many great relationships were formed, and we witnessed firsthand how El Zonte community leaders uplift their neighbors.
Here’s a breakdown of our week.
Monday
We Hildegardians flew from LAX to San Salvador with President Smith and Prof. Jeff Tanner, where we were greeted and driven an hour and a half to El Zonte. There, we settled into the beautiful hillside AirBnb (with an infinity pool!) that is owned by a friend of Hildegard’s.
Tuesday
We woke the next morning to a breathtaking view of the ocean–only a 10-minute walk away.
We spent the day with Jorge, the leader and founder of Hope House. He shared his story with the group over lunch and answered questions about his life and work. Then, he took us to the heart of El Zonte and gave us a tour of Hope House. We were introduced to their students and broke into small groups to help with English classes. The team returned home for dinner and our first sunset in El Salvador.
Wednesday
The next day, we enjoyed some morning free time before heading off to a Hope House surf lesson–one of the many work training opportunities they offer. All of us–including President Smith and Prof. Tanner–had our first surf lesson. We weren’t half bad–some waves were caught, we shared many laughs, and we worked up appetites for a pupusa-making session. Back in town, the students and staff had the pleasure of meeting Mama Rosa: Jorge’s mom and the owner of the first ever El Salvadorian business to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment.
Thursday
Today, we traveled into a neighborhood where New Story constructs low income housing for El Zonte natives. We explored how they use a circular economy to uplift the people in El Zonte who need assistance to find affordable housing. In the next town, El Tunco, we Hildegardians met with leaders from Hope House, New Story, and another organization that builds safe and supportive community for the people in El Salvador: La Red. We toured their facility and learned about all of the programs that they offer their people.
We were still a little hungry after dinner, so we prepared a midnight snack of chilaquiles. Dr. Smith makes a mean homemade sauce!
Friday
Some of us were up bright and early to catch the sunrise on the beach. Today, we met with leaders of Bitcoin Beach. We asked questions about the evolving circular economy and how El Zonte is pioneering the future of El Salvadorian financial freedom. For dinner, we returned to Mama Rosa’s pupuseria, where we enjoyed pupusas made by the pros.
Saturday
On our last day, we were up and ready to help Hope House for their Saturday morning “Recreo” program. We helped kids in their English classes and made friends with the people that attend the local high school. Then, it was time to pack up for our return home. See you next year, El Zonte!—
Today, we’re back in Entrepreneurship class, where we continue to explore how community leaders can make where they live the best place in the world. We Hildegardians hope to do the same.
