Section BEG3A

As far as community service goes, I’ve been involved with teaching Sunday school for over 4 years.  The United Muslim Association is an organization centered in central Jersey that operates religious schools for children ages 5 through 17.  I volunteered as an Arabic teacher for 3 years and an Islamic studies teacher for 1 and a half.  Every Sunday, I spend 4 hours in classrooms teaching 8th, 4th, and 6th graders.  It’s a great experience being a leader and knowing that so many young faces look up to you as a role model.  It does entail responsibility and dedication but the reward is something else entirely.  I love working with kids and every week feels like fun and hardly any work.  Teaching is a great way to do community service, whether you’re doing it for academic, athletic, or spiritual purposes.

I went to the study abroad workshop and I was enlightened in all the opportunities available for me to study overseas.  I know that I am only a freshman but plaaning classes for me brings the overseas study factor into my planning.  I plan to go sometime next year and study abroad.  I was impressed by what the Swedish representatives had to say, but I was thinking more about Italy or Israel.  That worshop convinced me that studying abroad is not an option, but a mandatory thing.

I attended the AIESC workshop with Mike, Charles, and Jamal.  AIESC is the study abroad program and the leaders of the workshop were very informative of the opportunities of studying abroad.  AIESC offers trips to many countries in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America among others.  Although I felt it is a bit expensive, I would still consider studying abroad even if it is not this year.  The leaders of the workshop were also very helpful when I asked specific questions about studying abroad such as what semester it is recommended to study abroad.