10 things I have learned in joining World Youth Day

As young people from all over the world converge in Panama to share Christ through each other’s company, I am sharing to you some of the things that I have learned during my first World Youth Day.

This was supposedly a post that I made after joining the World Youth Day 2016 in Poland but I was not able to post it online right away. Since it was three years since World Youth Day in Poland, I am happy to share the things I have learned in World Youth Day:

1. Expect the unexpected. I remembered this phrase that my high school teacher always tells us: “Blessed are those who do not expect for they shall not be disappointed.” And it has helped me personally in this journey.
2. You are in a pilgrimage. Never treat yourself as a tourist. When I was in Poland, I always tell this to myself: You are there to encounter the Lord and not just to do some sightseeing.
3. Preparation is the key. Travel light. Bring protection from the harsh weather. But don’t overload. Indeed, I have learned this the hard way. Since it was my first international trip, I have to make sure that I look good in the pictures taken knowing that it was difficult to carry something heavy when you are running and catching up on your train. In the end, I have not used all the clothes I packed as we are required to wear the same outfit/uniform during the events for World Youth Day. So we have to do the laundry.
4. Follow instructions and behave well. And it’s for our own safety.
5. Learn something new. When I was there, I was able to learn about the culture of the Polish people and how gentle and kind they are. It was also an avenue for me to tell them about our Filipino culture which they were happy to learn about.
6. Make new friends. I have made a few of them when I was there and I’m happy to keep in touch with them at least online. I miss them all, honestly.
7. Appreciate the experience. Enjoy. Don’t stress yourself. Remember this is a pilgrimage. This is a faith experience.
8. Don’t compare. Don’t convert. No culture is superior over the other. Make the pilgrimage as an avenue for dialogue. Don’t convert — means when you spend, don’t convert the value into peso. You will end up disappointed.
9. Prioritize your expenses and time, especially if you are travelling with a limited budget. Don’t starve yourself. There will always be alternatives.
10. Post your experience on Facebook but don’t brag. Let others experience the joy that you have through your social media accounts. It was a good way to tell others my encounter with different young people from different parts of the world. And I love to share it.