Do 100 Hours of Volunteer Work

“Volunteering at my host mom’s second job, Wine&Design, gave me the opportunity to learn more about painting, different techniques, and art. I had a blast meeting so many people at every class, talking to them, and seeing their excitement when my host mom would introduce me as her foreign exchange student daughter from Germany. Furthermore, I got to improve my creative side and help painting the set for my school’s spring musical. This especially got me more involved into my school and helped me to meet students who became great friends of mine. I got to see how just a few people could build a castle as big as the whole stage. Another event I volunteered at earned me a free ticket to an amusement park where we had planned a trip to that would’ve been expensive to pay for. Also, I helped teachers at my school with grading, which I’ve always loved. It showed me how my teachers grade work and what they expect and look for, and I would get advice and insiders’ information about my school. Volunteering got me to experience many ‘first times.’ Doing thing I’ve never done before improved my feeling for responsibility and helped me to meet many people.”

“Volunteering for me as a FLEX participant meant a lot. At first, it was one of my ways to say ‘thank you’ to the community for giving me the opportunity to spend this wonderful year in the United States. I felt like spending my time on others in need was at least something I could do to show my gratitude. Later on, and very quickly, it also turned into a good way to bond with and take care of my community here. I met a lot of interesting and nice people with whom I helped many in need and, in the meantime, exchanged my culture. The time that I spent volunteering here also helped me with my personal growth. I noticed that big changes can sometimes be made by small actions. Volunteering here showed me the importance of being engaged, of taking action, and caring. These are lessons I will carry with me long after the program ends.”