Finding happiness thousands of miles away

FRESNO, Calif. – As the sun rose in Haridwar, India – a bell rang, the day started with chai tea and a morning prayer, followed by breakfast.

The kids were sent off to school and she looked after the babies until the kids arrived back home. When they were back, she helped them with their homework and listened to the children talk about their day.

It's not every day that a Bulldog gets the opportunity to travel the world and volunteer in communities over 7,000 miles from California, but Fresno State equestrian freshman Natalie Wendt did just that over the winter break, staying at an ashram, a place for religious retreat.

"The kids are much different over there than they are here [in America]," said Wendt. "They are so much more trusting and willing to open up to you about anything."

Not only was this a great opportunity to help others and impact their lives, but it provided her with a chance to create several joyous life-changing memories in the process.

Wendt's role on this trip was to engage and socialize with several groups of children who don't have families and can't be adopted for various reasons.

"As soon as I got there, all of the kids immediately swarmed my car and were excited to meet me," said Wendt. "They're the most selfless kids I've ever met – and all they want is just to be seen."

Wendt discovered that taking this trip helped to change her outlook on life. Like these kids, she found that she should embody some of the same values they hold near to themselves.

"I looked up to the kids," said Wendt. "Some of them came from horrible backgrounds and environments, but still managed to stay positive and joyful with what they have.

"[India] is so chaotic and unstructured, yet so simple and just flows. It gives selflessly, not in things, but in joy, kindness, and happiness. It is not a place that can be explained through words, but one that must be experienced to understand. That is India."

Wendt wasn't necessarily fulfilled with her life before her trip to India, but after helping these kids, she found that she's more content and aware of the amazing things she has in her life.

"I can appreciate things in the moment," she said. "Materialistic things are less important to me and I've learned to slow down and appreciate the simpler things in life."

Before the trip to India, Wendt was still contemplating eventual careers after college. Her great experience with the kids in India opened her eyes to the possibilities of social work or teaching. She doesn't know exactly what she wants to do quite yet, but she now knows it has to have something to do with helping children.

Wendt said this experience for her was eye-opening and heartfelt – one that she will undoubtedly never forget, and she hopes to make more trips like this in the future.

She learned that the happiness and joy she maintained over her time on this trip shouldn't be forgotten and should be carried over to her everyday life back home.

"Seeing a kid smile is like seeing happiness in its rawest form," said Wendt. "This experience has made me appreciate the happiness I see in others and made me a happier person in the process."

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

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Finding happiness thousands of miles away

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