There’s two different ways of defining a “community.” You can look at a community as a neighborhood, so a bunch of people living in the same area. Or you can look at a community as a group of people coming together with common interests and goals. I prefer to think of a community as the second definition. In Baruch my role is to eat a big breakfast, go to my classes, eat lunch, go to more classes, read on the train on the way home, then power nap, do some homework, eat a smaller dinner, and finish my homework so I can get at least 7-8 hours of sleep because Mr. Medina told me verbatim to do all of this. But in reality, at Baruch I can just go to my classes or I can focus and participate and really retain and learn the information. That is my goal and my role in my community here. As a Baruch Scholar in the Honors Program, I’m sure most of us have similar goals of wanting good grades. And we want them and we will probably get them because we are a group of students who genuinely care about our grades and work hard in our classes. Also, thanks to being a Baruch Scholar, I feel lucky to be given the opportunity for full tuition here. I think this idea a this benefit motivates me to do more and work harder, not only for myself but for my community. This is also a great reason why the community service project is incorporated  because it is the perfect way to give back! So within our Baruch community we have our own Baruch Scholars community and we’ll all be giving back thanks to the opportunity Baruch has given us.

There’s two different ways of defining a “community.” You can look at a community as a neighborhood, so a bunch of people living in the same area. Or you can look at a community as a group of people coming together with common interests and goals. I prefer to think of a community as the second definition. In Baruch my role is to eat a big breakfast, go to my classes, eat lunch, go to more classes, read on the train on the way home, then power nap, do some homework, eat a smaller dinner, and finish my homework so I can get at least 7-8 hours of sleep because Mr. Medina told me verbatim to do all of this. But in reality, at Baruch I can just go to my classes or I can focus and participate and really retain and learn the information. That is my goal and my role in my community here. As a Baruch Scholar in the Honors Program, I’m sure most of us have similar goals of wanting good grades. And we want them and we will probably get them because we are a group of students who genuinely care about our grades and work hard in our classes. Also, thanks to being a Baruch Scholar, I feel lucky to be given the opportunity for full tuition here. I think this idea a this benefit motivates me to do more and work harder, not only for myself but for my community. This is also a great reason why the community service project is incorporated  because it is the perfect way to give back! So within our Baruch community we have our own Baruch Scholars community and we’ll all be giving back thanks to the opportunity Baruch has given us.

My current role Baruch is simply a student. Although I have been to two club fairs and a career fair so far, I do not feel as involved with Baruch as I would like to be. As a student who’s a part of Baruch Scholars, I believe that I should take advantage of all my benefits. Free tuition, among other things, has been the greatest benefit I have received from Baruch. Of course, I will not only be taking from Baruch. There has to be some balance between give and take. As a student with so many benefits from Baruch, I feel that it is only proper to get involved with the Baruch community. When I say get involved, I do not mean going crazy and joining all the clubs that are out there. In my first semester of college, I believe that I should be finding my place and welcoming new connections with people. I do not plan on becoming an active participant in many, if any, clubs because I’m still not used to the work load and expectations yet. Furthermore, I would like to get a good feel for what goes on in Baruch and the type of events it holds. Later on, however, my role should be that of a more active student. I plan on attending more club events and maybe even help out at a department here at Baruch.

In the broader community, I have both volunteered with children before. Every summer, I try to look for a place to work at to use my time productively. I can say that I enjoyed working with these children in different organizations. What I love most is taking these children on field trips where they actually experience something new and interesting. Going forward, I believe that I should volunteer in a different field. Although there are many children out there, there are others who can also gain from my help. Already, I’m going to contribute to the community as a part of FRO. I believe a big part of community service is helping others benefit whether it’s directly or indirectly from your work. The service that the Honors Program promotes does not end at just servicing Baruch; The Honors Program encourages servicing the community.

-Jennifer

My current role Baruch is simply a student. Although I have been to two club fairs and a career fair so far, I do not feel as involved with Baruch as I would like to be. As a student who’s a part of Baruch Scholars, I believe that I should take advantage of all my benefits. Free tuition, among other things, has been the greatest benefit I have received from Baruch. Of course, I will not only be taking from Baruch. There has to be some balance between give and take. As a student with so many benefits from Baruch, I feel that it is only proper to get involved with the Baruch community. When I say get involved, I do not mean going crazy and joining all the clubs that are out there. In my first semester of college, I believe that I should be finding my place and welcoming new connections with people. I do not plan on becoming an active participant in many, if any, clubs because I’m still not used to the work load and expectations yet. Furthermore, I would like to get a good feel for what goes on in Baruch and the type of events it holds. Later on, however, my role should be that of a more active student. I plan on attending more club events and maybe even help out at a department here at Baruch.

In the broader community, I have both volunteered with children before. Every summer, I try to look for a place to work at to use my time productively. I can say that I enjoyed working with these children in different organizations. What I love most is taking these children on field trips where they actually experience something new and interesting. Going forward, I believe that I should volunteer in a different field. Although there are many children out there, there are others who can also gain from my help. Already, I’m going to contribute to the community as a part of FRO. I believe a big part of community service is helping others benefit whether it’s directly or indirectly from your work. The service that the Honors Program promotes does not end at just servicing Baruch; The Honors Program encourages servicing the community.

-Jennifer

Service if inspected as a derivative of the Latin noun servus, servi means slave. However, serving ones community shouldn’t be a burden nor a forced experience. With open arms and  a welcoming heart an individual should approach the act of serving their community. Community service is a time for one to humble him or herself and graciously give back. In fact, in Bavarian servus tantamounts to “hello”. Therefore, community service unlike its common association of torture and chains by many students, should be welcomed. It should be greeted with munificence and gratitude. For it allows an individual to   embellish and strengthen the foundation of their community by mending the fractures, as well as to sculpt their own character and personality.

Throughout my high school career I had cocooned myself in numerous volunteering opportunities, from being a volunteer at a daycare to raising money and awareness for the fights against Cystic Fibrosis and ASL. My experience as a student teacher, however, was the most vibrant paint amongst the palette of colors and tools that life presented me with in order to construct and refine myself.

My first day went something like this:

Sweat ran down my forehead, my knees shook as I walked up the stairs. Every nerve in my brain was screaming, yelling for me to turn around and walk away, but my heart wasn’t yielding. Mama didn’t raise a quitter, nor was I about to run away from my fears. As I willed every muscle of my body to walk up to the classroom door, grabbing the doorknob with a sweaty hand, I hesitated for a second that seemed like eternity. Looking up at the threshold that stood between me and the 5th grade class I was about to teach, I had a choice to make: enter and teach Spanish to fifth graders or run away like a cowering dog with its tail between its legs. However, there was no way anxiety nor fear of public speaking was going to stop me from fulfilling my aspiration.

Warmth and excitement filled my body as I entered the classroom and saw it being illuminated by the excitement and joy shining from my students faces.Their excitement and the idea that I could be of benefit to these children alleviated my fear, and allowed me to introduce myself with ease and begin the lesson.

From that day on I greeted each lesson with great pride and responsibility, teaching my students the basics of Spanish and engaging them in countless games. From “NACHO”(Spanish Bingo), to word searches, and jeopardy my students and I made the most of the Mondays we had together and combined knowledge and entertainment for the benefit of both parties.  Together we would discuss new topics and incorporate various learning styles making sure each student was taking part in the lessons and  didn’t feel left behind.  As the fifth graders gained knowledge, I expanded as an individual, teacher, friend, and mentor. 

Student Teaching bestowed me with an opportunity to repay my community for everything it has done for children like me. I was able able to assist others just like others had done to me in the past. Looking back on my childhood I remember all the happiness that my community was able to instill in me and the boundless smile that was plastered on my face, missing teeth and all. The gratitude I felt radiated throughout my body, reflecting the generosity of those that would help me. Knowing that I’m able to spark the same happiness in others is the greatest gift I could have received from my service.  The plethora of work and dedication that this volunteering opportunity required of me , were worth all the sweat and tears. It not only sculpted me into a much more responsible and meticulous individual, allowing me to  grown as a leader, but  with every lesson I was able to  nourish the knowledge of my students. I was able to see their intellect and curiosity burgeon, and drown in their smiles. My service was just as potent of a service to myself as it was as a community.  I was able to make others happy, consequently allowing happiness to blossom within myself.

Keep On Wandering,

Tamara Barbakova

Service if inspected as a derivative of the Latin noun servus, servi means slave. However, serving ones community shouldn’t be a burden nor a forced experience. With open arms and  a welcoming heart an individual should approach the act of serving their community. Community service is a time for one to humble him or herself and graciously give back. In fact, in Bavarian servus tantamounts to “hello”. Therefore, community service unlike its common association of torture and chains by many students, should be welcomed. It should be greeted with munificence and gratitude. For it allows an individual to   embellish and strengthen the foundation of their community by mending the fractures, as well as to sculpt their own character and personality.

Throughout my high school career I had cocooned myself in numerous volunteering opportunities, from being a volunteer at a daycare to raising money and awareness for the fights against Cystic Fibrosis and ASL. My experience as a student teacher, however, was the most vibrant paint amongst the palette of colors and tools that life presented me with in order to construct and refine myself.

My first day went something like this:

Sweat ran down my forehead, my knees shook as I walked up the stairs. Every nerve in my brain was screaming, yelling for me to turn around and walk away, but my heart wasn’t yielding. Mama didn’t raise a quitter, nor was I about to run away from my fears. As I willed every muscle of my body to walk up to the classroom door, grabbing the doorknob with a sweaty hand, I hesitated for a second that seemed like eternity. Looking up at the threshold that stood between me and the 5th grade class I was about to teach, I had a choice to make: enter and teach Spanish to fifth graders or run away like a cowering dog with its tail between its legs. However, there was no way anxiety nor fear of public speaking was going to stop me from fulfilling my aspiration.

Warmth and excitement filled my body as I entered the classroom and saw it being illuminated by the excitement and joy shining from my students faces.Their excitement and the idea that I could be of benefit to these children alleviated my fear, and allowed me to introduce myself with ease and begin the lesson.

From that day on I greeted each lesson with great pride and responsibility, teaching my students the basics of Spanish and engaging them in countless games. From “NACHO”(Spanish Bingo), to word searches, and jeopardy my students and I made the most of the Mondays we had together and combined knowledge and entertainment for the benefit of both parties.  Together we would discuss new topics and incorporate various learning styles making sure each student was taking part in the lessons and  didn’t feel left behind.  As the fifth graders gained knowledge, I expanded as an individual, teacher, friend, and mentor. 

Student Teaching bestowed me with an opportunity to repay my community for everything it has done for children like me. I was able able to assist others just like others had done to me in the past. Looking back on my childhood I remember all the happiness that my community was able to instill in me and the boundless smile that was plastered on my face, missing teeth and all. The gratitude I felt radiated throughout my body, reflecting the generosity of those that would help me. Knowing that I’m able to spark the same happiness in others is the greatest gift I could have received from my service.  The plethora of work and dedication that this volunteering opportunity required of me , were worth all the sweat and tears. It not only sculpted me into a much more responsible and meticulous individual, allowing me to  grown as a leader, but  with every lesson I was able to  nourish the knowledge of my students. I was able to see their intellect and curiosity burgeon, and drown in their smiles. My service was just as potent of a service to myself as it was as a community.  I was able to make others happy, consequently allowing happiness to blossom within myself.

Keep On Wandering,

Tamara Barbakova

I believe that serving the community does not only include helping those who are less fortunate than us. Our community does not only consist of those who are in need. By helping EVERYONE who is a part of the community, we are able to show that WE ARE a part of this community. Many people focus on helping the homeless, the hungry or the disabled, but what about the rest of the community? I agree that these people are most definitely one of the priorities, but that does not mean that the rest of the community should be left out. What about the children who want to learn a new language simply because they want to but are not given the opportunity? Or the group of boys who want to play soccer but are unable to find a coach? These children are not in the same need as the homeless but by volunteering, we can help them achieve their goals and follow their dreams. Volunteering unifies the community and shows everyone that nobody is left out.

During my years in high school, I volunteered in many places including the Sunnyside Community Center where I served Thanksgiving dinner to the elderly, Socrates Sculpture Park and Flushing Meadows Park where I planted trees and rid the parks of any pollution, and the Diverbo linguistic immersion program in Jerez, Spain where I helped Spanish teenagers learn English and feel more comfortable about holding conversations in a foreign language to them. All volunteering experiences allowed me to help different people. My volunteering for these organizations was not necessary but through it, I was able to make a change in the various communities. Of course this change was not extreme, but it was a start. If everyone took time out of their daily lives to help out, then change would appear more drastic.

The ways in which people can volunteer are infinite. Depending on a person’s education, abilities, and interests, a person can do many things to give back to the community ranging from offering after school tutoring or donating money to buy food for the homeless. By doing something that both interests you and is able to improve the community, you will realize that volunteering is not a difficult and unpleasant task. Since I enjoy traveling and learning about various cultures, volunteering in Spain was not an unwanted chore. Teaching teenagers coming from many different towns and cities in Spain, I was able to not only influence their lives, but also influence my own. The two-week long volunteer opportunity allowed me to acquire new friendships and made me realize that despite the cultural diversity, we grew very close to each other and were able to communicate well. Never have I thought that my volunteering would create such strong ties that would last a long time. On the last day of camp, the Spaniards were in tears. It was then that I understood that being able to spend two weeks with them and speaking to them in a foreign language was an important part of their life. Although I was volunteering abroad, I was still helping my community, my global community.

As a Baruch Scholar, I would like to continue being able to provide support to people in not only my local community, but also my global community. During my years in college, I plan on helping multiple organizations that focus on helping various groups in the community. Through getting involved, I will be able to become more aware of the problems people have to live with that do not directly influence my life and that I do not understand. Volunteering will fully introduce me to my community because it seems that we have only just met.