Category Archives: FRO Journal Entries

For our Community Service Project, I used nonprofit research sites (i.e. guidestar.org , serviceatlas.org/nycnonprofit , idealist.org) suggested by the Information Services Librarian, Mr. Francoeur. Other than the input of ideas and experience with non-profits from each member of the group, I got the contact information for our organization (the American Cancer Society) from one of our classmate who was previous interested to volunteer at the ACS. Her help was crucial since the coordinator’s contact info for our specific site was not listed on the ACS website. We also went to the library numerous times to discuss our projects as a group. There, we get both wireless access and free printing.

As for student clubs, I have applied to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. I first heard of this program during our Freshmen Seminar session and I am very interested to join since the program helps low-income people file tax returns for free. Furthermore, learning more about the tax return process through VITA can help me decide whether I should major in Accounting or not. If VITA turns out to be something that I enjoy doing, I want to take on a leadership position (a coordinator or training assistant) in the program during my upcoming years in Baruch. I also plan to join honor societies that emphasize on community service, such as Beta Alpha Psi and the Golden Key. In addition, I am currently revising my resume to submit to the STARR search. I really hope to get a part-time job or an internship in the spring semester.

As a result of my participation in the Community Service Project, I learned that community service is not only a way to give back to the community but also a way to attain self-achievement. Through volunteering for the American Cancer Society, I can help to give support to those who are affected by cancer, raise funds and awareness among people. And knowing that I have the power to make a difference in the world around me, I feel more accomplished. Through this project, I also learned to work better in a team and utilize resources such as faculty, peers and support centers. I know these resources will be extremely helpful in my future academic career here at Baruch.

As Baruch Honors Scholars, we received many privileges including free tuition, free Macbooks, early registration, scholarships for study abroad, and the list goes on. After receiving these benefits, I think serving our community is one of the best ways to show our gratitude.

My role as a Baruch Scholar in the Honors Program and the broader community is to give back whenever possible. I intend to join honors societies that have a focus on community service such as the Golden Key and Sigma Alpha Delta in my upcoming years at Baruch. Outside of Baruch, I am currently volunteering for the New York Road Runners (NYRR) at various races and marathons when I have free time on weekends. It is great to see the vibe of energy and determination from the runners. Among those runners, their ages range from 12 or 13 year olds to elderlys in their 80s or even 90s. One of their most exciting fundraising events with NYRR is the Race to Deliver every year in November. This race is sponsored by God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that fundraises to provide meals and comfort to people with AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses. It is a very rewarding feeling when I know there is something I can do to make a difference (even if it’s small) in society.

I think a Honors Scholar’s should actively engage in clubs and community service events, both within and outside of Baruch, in addition to maintain high academic standards. Other than just fulfilling the Honor’s requirement for volunteer hours, Scholars would gain valuable experience and insights in different parts of society or different careers through community service. This parallels with the Baruch Honors Program promotion that “Through service, students develop leadership skills and an awareness of the essential relationship between privilege and responsibility.” (from the Baruch College Honors Program webpage) Community service would definitely help a Scholar to become a well-rounded person and a leader among his or her peers.

One experience that has shaped who I am is the change of environment. I moved from China to Orlando, FL when I was ten. Then three years later, I moved from Orlando to New York. This experience enabled me to adapt to different environments more easily. I got to meet many Hispanic-speaking friends during my time at Orlando to the point where I understood everything they said even when they spoke to me in Spanish (though I forgot most of the words that they taught me after I moved to NY). And when I arrived in Brooklyn and went to the biggest Chinatown in the world, I was surprised to see how many Asians there are here. I truly experienced the ethnic and cultural diversity when I started attending school in New York. I believe a change of environment can help broader a person’s image of the world and to grow and mature.

Another experience that shaped the person I am is my AP American History class. For that class, I had a teacher who yelled out “I’m marking you unprepared” whenever someone said they don’t know the answer to a question or answered it incorrectly. Then she would go on about the absurdity of the student’s words and tell them to never come to class again if they did not read ahead in the textbook. In fear of being yelled at, I stayed up to review and annotate materials for the next lesson until 2 or 3am. I can’t recall how many tests I failed and how many essays I had to redo for that class. However, my hard work did pay off in terms of my AP score and my Regents grade. From that time on, I lived by the phrase: “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” The class helped me realize that if I put enough effort into something, I will eventually succeed/ do well on it.

As a college student, I expect to be exposed to a variety of classes and hopefully, they will help me choose the career path I will be truly interested in. I hope to meet more people from outside of the city and outside of the country throughout my time at Baruch. Also, I want to participate in the study abroad program and visit at least two countries from different continents that I have never been to.

For my first semester of college, I am concerned about meeting the GPA requirement for the Honors program. I hope to work more efficiently, be familiar with where everything is in Baruch, and start looking for possible opportunities to build a better resume (through clubs or internship programs).