22 scHool neWs Aquinas Students Around the World In this inspiring series, I sat down with three remarkable Aquinas students who chose to step beyond their familiar worlds and dedicate themselves to service in communities across Ghana, ailand, and Tanzania. Each student embarked on a journey, immersing themselves in new cultures, embracing the unknown, and discovering the profound impact of giving back. Driven by a desire to make a di erence, they le their comfort zones to connect deeply with people and places in need, learning invaluable lessons along the way. Here are their unique stories of growth, transformation, and unforgettable moments that have inspired them to continue serving as global citizens. EXPERIENCE Frances taught within a classroom of roughly 20 students with just one other teacher. Her students only knew very basic English, so instructing the class was sometimes difficult. Luckily, she describes her students as being very respectful. For Frances, she actively had to pay attention to the cultural norms within the classroom. For instance, it is disrespectful to point directly at someone, and patting kids on the head is considered offensive. Outside the classroom, Frances admitted to feeling a bit out of place, as many locals stared, curious about her presence in their town. Her Thai mentors guided her through the villages, where she practiced speaking Thai and made a point of saying “thank you” whenever she could. Her efforts were warmly received, as they showed her eagerness to learn and her genuine interest in connecting with the culture. Frances wanted them to see that her purpose extended beyond tourism; she was there to make a meaningful difference. COMMUNITY IMPACT Though Frances spoke only a little Thai, she found creative ways to communicate effectively with her students. One memorable moment was teaching animal names by singing Old McDonald with her fourth graders. She watched her students’ English skills grow steadily over time, and noticed their participation increased as they became more comfortable with her. “My students were there because they truly wanted to learn,” she shared. One young sixth grader, always cheerful and fully engaged in class, deeply moved Frances when she discovered that the girl was an orphan working to fund her own education. This dedication reminded Frances of how fortunate many are and how easy it is to take that for granted. On her last day, her students cried, reluctant to say goodbye. Frances keeps a treasured box at home filled with their letters, along with a hair clip one student removed from her own hair as a gift. She cherishes these mementos as symbols of the deep connections she formed with her students, fellow teachers, and the community. REFLECTION When asked what advice she would give to other Aquinas students considering international service, Frances enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely, 100% do it! Not only will you be making a positive impact on the world, but you’ll also learn so much about yourself by experiencing life outside your usual routine. You gain new perspectives, which you simply can’t get from just traveling. Community service immerses you in local life in a way that’s totally unique.” Frances is certain that travel will play a big role in her future. She’s eager to experience as many cultures as possible so that she can make a meaningful difference wherever she goes. 22 AQUINAS LANDMARK | WINTER 2025 FRANCES POGROSZEWSKI ‘25 Community Service in Thailand: June 29 – July 12, 2024 MOTIVATION Frances is no stranger when it comes to traveling abroad. The summer going into her junior year, she traveled to Costa Rica where she worked at a turtle sanctuary. This past summer, her ambitions took her to Thailand. Residing in northern Thailand, within the mountainous city of Chiang Mai, Frances taught conversational English to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders along with ten other student-teachers from the US and Barcelona. During her time, she was responsible for creating engaging and age-appropriate lesson plans for her classes. As an environmentalist and lover of all living things, her motivation to go to Thailand started with her interest in visiting an elephant sanctuary – which she did – and ended with a strong desire to help those less fortunate than her.
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