Being a Baruch Scholar I have a role of participating in the community. Although we are all only just starting out, and maybe unsure of what our exact role is, or what we should be doing, I acknowledge that we have to be active. Not only for the community itself, but for our own selves as well. Currently, I am am taking part in the Conversation Partners Program at Baruch. It’s a club that isn’t very rigid, it is more about personal efforts. It is my duty to actively make meeting plans with my partners. My partners are nonnative english speakers who I am trying to help become more comfortable in America and more comfortable speaking English. I’m not writing this to say how fulfilling or amazing the experience is, because again I am only just starting out and I haven’t began to analyze my growth for my little time here. Sure I have learned plenty in class and in this club, but I am still learning and growing everyday and trying to experience new things. I think that’s what serving the community is about, as a Baruch Scholar or not. It’s about learning and growing while helping others learn and grow. I don’t think it necessarily has to be life changing in any way, because little things can go as long a way as big things. Things that you might do everyday that you might not even realize is ‘serving the community’ like holding the elevator or holding the door for people, can make differences in other people’s lives. So it is my duty, and should be everyone’s duty to actively participate in the community in any way possible, big or small. The honors program promotes the idea of service and action and I think it is extremely important because some people might need that little push to give back. Because helping others helps us help ourselves.
5 thoughts on “What Does it Mean to Serve my Community (Group 2)”
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Aja,
Before reading your entry, I wasn’t even aware that the club you participate in existed. This shows how much I still have to learn about my college campus and the community it has created. I look forward to learning more about your experience with this organization in the future.
Aja,
I think the club that you joined is a great club that can really help nonnative English speakers. Through my friend, I met an international student who is a nonnative English speaker, she frequently tells us to speak to her in English rather than in Chinese. She also expresses her struggle in getting used to life in New York City, as she only arrived a few days before school started. Your club is great for knowing that there is students that need the help, and not only that it’s a great way you’re giving back to the Baruch community. I also agree that small actions like holding the door for someone can sometimes make a difference in someone’s day.
I really agree with what you said about serving the community through small deeds like holding the door for someone. The club you mentioned seems really interesting. My friend’s cousin recently came to America and he is also trying to get accustomed to life in America. I am glad something like this exists in Baruch to help people’s transition into America.
I think it’s great that you are already part of a club and are meeting new people within the Baruch community. I agree with the point you made in using community service as a way to help others grow but also as a way to help ourselves. Our time at Baruch can help us grow as people by doing new things and meeting others.
Aja,
This post was really good. I remember talking you out and your conversation partner and you’re definitely a great person to help them get used to speaking English and being comfortable. And you’re right – a little can always go a long way.