September 2017 - October 2019 • Sydney, New South Wales
What I liked
The people
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
Just go for it.
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Full time Missionary
May 2018 - November 2019 • Salem, OR
What I liked
Meeting new people. Teaching the gospel.
What I wish was different
That I could have stayed.
Advice
Greater joy comes in finding who God is.
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Field Expert
January - April 2019 • Cusco, Cusco Región
What I liked
I loved the personal contact we had with the people. We conducted focus groups (I had a co-intern to work with), and worked very closely with the local manager in Lima. I was able to do some of my own research with young adults and families who were seeking self-reliance through self-help programs. I loved being able to talk to all the people and live with them in real-time. It was an amazing, hands-on experience with history, politics, culture, and anthropology.
What I wish was different
There was incredible flexibility in my work schedule, so much so that I felt I did not have a clear role at times. We were expected to do many things, but our two managers (one in Salt Lake and one in Lima), didn't have a very cohesive picture of their priorities. I wish I had a more direct work plan and was able to know better what the expectations were from my two bosses.
Advice
For anyone who goes on this experience, I would suggest developing professional relationships as much as possible. My most meaningful interactions came from relationships I still have to this day with people I love there (professional and personal). More than that, though, I would suggest the intern going here to have a clear idea about what questions they need to ask to establish clear priorities and a work plan with the two managers.
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Missionary
January 2018 - July 2019 • Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo Province
What I liked
I loved meeting new people and the opportunities with which I was presented to serve and help those around me.
What I wish was different
I only wish that I would have been able to stay longer.
Advice
I would recommend that anyone interested in doing this kind of service be willing to dedicate themselves completely and have an open mind and an open heart.
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Missionary
June 2018 - December 2019 • Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
What I liked
Everything. I love the people and the place and all my experiences.
What I wish was different
Everything was awesome
Advice
Give your heart to the Lord during your mission
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Volunteer
July - September 2019 • Atlanta, GA
What I liked
It was wonderful. Got to volunteer at the Bishop’s storehouse and it was amazing to serve that way
What I wish was different
Nothing really
Advice
It really is a wonderful experience so do it if you get a chance
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Temple Gardener
April - September 2019 • Helsinki, Uusimaa
What I liked
I loved being in the nature and learning a new gardening vocabulary in Finnish
What I wish was different
Honestly? I loved it, I don’t think I would have changed a thing.
Advice
If you haven’t worked in the temple gardens, it is so worth it to learn a new perspective of the order that Heavenly Father has in His holy house.
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Traveling Missionary
September 2017 • Taichung, Taiwan
What I liked
I got to share about what I believe in and help many people through serving them and teaching them about the gospel.
What I wish was different
nothing
Advice
Just work hard!!!
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Missionary
October 2013 - April 2015 • Salt Lake City, UT
What I liked
I like to see people find out hope in their lives when I was sharing the gospel with those people.
What I wish was different
I wish I can share more about the gospel with someone who attends at the Temple Square, Salt Lake.
Advice
I would suggest that each one who wants to go to serve a mission before should prepare gospel knowledge, read more scriptures and prepare themselves be worthy.
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MTC TEACHER
July 2018 • Provo, UT
What I liked
The work environment and the opportunity to teach something I’m passionate about
What I wish was different
Honestly nothing
Advice
You have to be prepared for what is expected of you. Expectations can be high but it’s part of every professional job
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Accountant
May 2019 • Provo, UT
What I liked
Good work atmosphere. Kind people and good work experience.
What I wish was different
Could have worked more hours and studied outside of work what I was doing.
Advice
Work hard and pay attention to details.
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Seminary Student Teacher
November 2018 • Provo, UT
What I liked
I loved the flexible hours and being able to study and prepare for the fall classes I would teach. The schedule made it possible that I could take classes and it was something I loved to do.
What I wish was different
I wish that I would have been given more direction on what to do or what schedule I should keep up with in being able to prepare for future lessons and being completely ready as the school year started.
Advice
Even though the hours are flexible, it is helpful to set my own schedule so that I am making sure to study and work daily.
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House/Building Cleaner
July - September 2019 • Castle Rock, CO
What I liked
I was able to do a lot of self-reflecting while feeling satisfied with the hard work I put into cleaning.
What I wish was different
I had found another job.
Advice
It’s good to be a cleaner when you only have a short amount of time before school starts.
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Computer Network Analyst Intern
April - September 2019 • Riverton, UT
What I liked
Nice work accommodations, desk, laptop, work cafeteria, access to new tools. Great experience gained.
What I wish was different
Better project / work assignment and closer mentoring. Being integrated to the team took a lot of personal efforts, and finding relevant projects and work available to me was tricky and sparse at times.
Advice
Thoroughly understand and acquaint yourself with your team and the adjacent teams working on similar projects.
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LDS Missionary
December 2016 - June 2018 • Kiev, Kiev Oblast
What I liked
The experience was not easy, a common misconception that can make the 18-month commitment more difficult than it needs to be. While it was stretching, however, I am beyond a shadow of doubt a different person, more complete in personal ways while having my perspective of the world and of other peoples, cultures, languages, etc. altered -- no, more accurately blown completely out of the water. I understand people in international spheres to an extent and with such a different mindset that I will never be quite the same. It changed what I consider important, what I believe in, how I interact with people, what I fear, what I treasure, and each of these will continue to influence my path for the rest of my life.
What I wish was different
I, for one, am not one to play the role of salesman. I was grateful for the opportunity to work is such close contexts with people I'd never met, and all in the intention of helping them, but there were times when the nature of this volunteer/missionary endeavor required that I act the part of, one could say, a salesperson.
Advice
The first and foremost is to learn to love the people you work among. You're going to be in generally one region of the world for 18-24 months, it's infinitely more bearable, rewarding, and life-changing if you allow and teach yourself to love the individuals with whom that time is spent. It really isn't hard. The second most significant piece of advice I, or any returned missionary, could share is to use common sense. Please! There is no 24-hour adult supervision in this experience; many of us find ourselves in a foreign country for the first time, usually not in the most beautiful or advantageous areas of those countries. A tag-along partner sticks with you for the entire ride, leaving you with little alone time. The decisions you, as a volunteer and missionary, make reflect not only on you but on the organization with which you affiliate yourself. More than anything, this genuine love for the people you're there to help and a healthy dose of common sense ensure safety, influence, relationships, and personal development inasmuch as anything can. What can I say in closing? Go for the right reasons. Once you've committed yourself, stay committed. More than anything, it is worth it.
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Missionary
January - June 2018 • Holsworthy, England
What I liked
I liked helping people change their lives.
What I wish was different
Nothing.
Advice
Go on a mission if you have the chance!
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Teaching Assistant (Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School)
June - August 2018 • Apia, Gaga'emauga
What I liked
The like teaching Mediation to the High School students. It's great seeing them learning new aspect and they want to learned more. See how they can apply to their own life and also in thier family.
What I wish was different
I wish we have more days to teach like 3 months. Also, the teachers should learned about Mediation not jsut the students.
Advice
It's great way to teach Mediation for Students who are in Samoa.
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Service Missionary
September 2016 - August 2018 • Houston, TX
What I liked
The experiences I had while serving in the Houston area changed my life by allowing me to serve and help others. This was the most important thing for me, but I also was provided with countless experiences that helped me to gain leadership experience as I worked with groups of up to 35 people in various volunteer efforts. The opportunity to interact and work with others was invaluable and taught me key skills in communication and understanding other perspectives. Overall, what I most enjoyed about this experience was the opportunity to learn what my purpose was as a volunteer and understand how that drove me to serve and help others.
What I wish was different
I wish that I would have better understand some of the more important pars of my efforts and put more of an emphasis on my preparation to help others.
Advice
Don't get wrapped up in little things. Focus on your purpose and do everything possible to fulfill it.
