Pastoral work during seminary formation and even after it does not only develop the people in the place where we do apostolic work but it also help attain our own personal development. 
The Church even requires this.  Vatican II document, Optatum Totius (Decree on the Training of Priests) requires pastoral formation be included in the training of priests.  It says and I quote, "students must learn the act of exercising the Apostolate not only in theory but in practice and should be able to act their own initiative and in cooperation with others.  To this end, they should be initiated to pastoral work as part of their studies and so on."
In my four-week apostolic work in one of the barrios in Silang, Cavite, I gained more self-knowledge.  It provided with an opportunity for personal and social growth in the area of shepherding.  It was a two-way process, helping the people to grow in faith and on the other hand, I also grow in faith.  With such experience, I was able to apply the theories I learned in and was a chance to utilize any of my potentials not being tapped in the classroom. 
I am able to say this because of my challenging experience of getting an audience with the Barangay Captain.  Because it took four (4) weeks to finally see him, I initially thought that he was not interested and indifferent to our presence in that area.  Before that, I felt I was just wasting my time with  him   and  surely,   there   was something better that just waiting around the corner.  I thought, there were a lot of people out there who can be receptive and can give us time.  However, I felt God was telling me differently.  It was difficult for me as my inner being told me to hold on.

With this I remember the parable of the lost sheep.  It did something to my disposition.  It was for me a moment of awakening not only to the truth but to reality that I was not acting like Christ who is the Good Shepherd, who cares for the lost ones.  To be in the apostolate is to be a good shepherd.  I thought that might be I would not be able to draw the captain into a relationship with Jesus for I was about to give up on him.
One Saturday after being informed that the captain was out from home again, I decide to visit him early the following day.  I did not set any appointment anymore.  It was intentional, so I would have a chance of "catching" him. Personally, I did not have much within.  I already surrendered this task to Him and it was for Him to work things our so I could see the captain.  Finally, I got hold of him.  The meeting went beyond my expectation.  He cordially received me and even gave names of person who can help me with my plans.  There, the task of seeing the captain was finally done.
The event made me also understand humility and poverty.  I am very little soul who can offer only very little to the good God. Yet, I should not be discouraged for He still it pleased with my littleness and my poverty for He is seeing my unwavering trust in His mercy. 
Another beautiful and fitting insight to this experience is in relation to Ephesians 6:17, "Let the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God abounding in your lips and hearts.  If we have to do with a difficult person, let us not be discouraged nor abandon him. 
Let us have always the "Sword of the Spirit" to lay down his faults before Him, and not allow things to pass for the sake of leaving ourselves in repose.  Let us fight unceasingly, even without hope of gaining victory. According to St. Therese, we must do our duty unto the end.