IreneLee

Being a Baruch Scholar means that we are people who should set higher standards and be seen as a good influence or example for others. A Baruch Scholar is not only mandated to maintain excelling grades, but he or she is also required to volunteer each semester. In exchange for being given so many opportunities and resources, from the free tuition and laptops to the lounges available through out campus, we should give back to the community. We, Baruch Scholars, are not performing community service because it’s expected of us. We are helping because it’s the right thing to do. Scholars use the knowledge obtained throughout their education and experiences to help out those who are less advantaged. Also, by volunteering, Scholars are able to connect to real life citizens. We are able to learn how to utilize our communication skills and connect with normal, everyday people or nature. Lastly, community service is not something that should be taken lightly. Though at first, people may think that volunteering is helping those less fortunate or taking care of the community’s resource, volunteers do learn and take something back from the service. Volunteers are able to learn more about the people involved or the story behind various objects. The people and animals involved all have different stories, and we seldom take time to ask about them. However, community service gives us this chance of reaching out to various people, people who we may have never noticed or paid any attention to before.

Baruch Honors Program requires all student to perform community service every term for these reasons. The program is to ensure that students are able to connect and branch out from their comfort zone. It is also a valuable experience, which many students tend to gain much insight from. Lastly, we learn that community service is a life long commitment. There will always be others who need help more than we do, whether it be someone who needs a helping hand or just someone who needs a mentor. Without community service, in general, people would not be able to understand what it meant to be privileged nor would they be able to see or listen about the different experiences that many others have had.