Thank-you messages

After touring the exhibit, many students expressed their feelings in thank-you messages that they sent to Medical Teams International. Read their thoughts below:

“Walking through the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit really touched me more than any textbook or movie would. I took in more than expected and left with more than I could imagine...The blinking light moved me the most. It remained with me throughout the rest of the day. Thinking that the light would still be blinking even after we were long gone made my stomach turn, I felt that I had to do something to change it. I think that REAL. LIFE. Exhibit should be somewhere that everyone goes to.” —Ashley

“I came into this experience not knowing what to expect, and I left not knowing how to react. I have always prided myself in not being an average teenager because I am very aware of current events, and I do a lot of community service. But I was aware of facts, not faces. And I do a hundred selfish and wasteful things for every selfless act. My eyes have been forced open by haunting images I will not forget.” —Emily

“The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit was a very different experience for me. I knew these things were happening in the world, yet nothing could have made it more real to me than this exhibit. I am a very emotional person by nature, and to be able to experience this on such an strong level was such an emotional release.” —Kacy

______________________

“When I heard about the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, I imagined it to be a boring lecture and a slideshow. It was far from that. In it were actual smells, photos and activities. This was an amazing experience that truly opened my eyes, as I hope it did for many others. I came into the exhibit not knowing much about life outside of the United States. I remember walking out, thinking of all the ways I could raise money for the people in these countries that were enduring such peril. I realize how truly blessed I am, living in the United States, with a loving family and great education. I may be only one person, but I can make a difference.” —Kenzi

“I went to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit expecting to be changed. I am affected by world affairs. I consider myself a compassionate human being. So attending something like this, I knew I would appreciate its purpose. But I did not expect to sit on the floor of a Romanian orphanage, crying over my guilty feelings for being born into such privilege and comfort. I did not expect to find myself lying down, gazing up at a 25-foot wave, hot tears streaming down my face, my fears of water and the ocean showing their true colors. I did not expect to be so inspired to write...” —Kellie

“I thought my life was the worst in the world, or at least in Oregon. But when we went to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, I saw some sad things that made me realize my life isn’t so bad. Now I’m more thankful for what I have...When I walked through the rooms, I could feel the pain of the people. The smell, the pictures and the sounds made it real...I feel like I must help some way, but I’m not sure how yet. But I do know that even though I’m only one person, I can make a difference.”—Bailey

______________________

“Without this organization and this exhibit, I really didn’t know all this. Yeah, I was told it, but had not learned it. I cared but was forced to care. I now know all this. The thought that the dollar I spend on a soda or drink can save a life makes me feel horrible. I could save others, but I’m too lost in my own selfish world to pay attention. I take it all for granted.” —Kirsten

“I was so moved by the images I saw in the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit at Medical Teams International that there was no holding back such a powerful reaction. To be honest, I had expected to be somewhat moved by the exhibit. I always experience some sort of emotional response to these kinds of things. I did not, however, expect such a strong sensation of sorrow to overcome me as much as it did. For several minutes, there was nothing I could do. Nothing I could say. Nothing I could write. I could only sit—head bowed, back bent—and let the tears come.” —Callie