Center for Community-Engaged Learning

What was a highlight of your CESP experience?

A highlight of my CESP experience is a RAP session called “Poverty, Inc.” During that RAP session, we watched a movie about foreign aid and how intricate that system is. We analyzed how donations often interfere with industries in the countries that other places are trying to “help,” putting them further in poverty. A lot of foreign aid relies on poverty consistently existing, making the divide between 3rd and 1st world countries greater. 

What were some of the organizations you spent most of your time with? How did those organizations impact your undergraduate education?

I spent the most time as a data analyst for the Washington Conservation District and as a surgical center volunteer for Regions Hospital. When I began my undergraduate career, I had imagined I would enjoy a job in environmental data analysis. Once I volunteered for the Washington Conservation District, I realized that isn’t necessarily the career path I’d like to pursue. I volunteered at many other organizations before getting to Regions Hospital. There I realized how fascinated I am by medicine and research and realized I can combine the different parts of my undergraduate degree to work in epidemiology or environmental infectious diseases.

What Service Learning classes did you take? Which one was your favorite? Which one was most challenging? Why?

My favorite class was ENGL 1501W, which also happened to be the most challenging. I think the reason it was my favorite service learning course was because I learned so much about important sociopolitical issues and how literature has been used to address them.