Hear it from our students / Life in the U.S.

Aspect Students in Action – Part Two

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While we embrace the holiday spirit, we wanted to shine a light on our 2024-25 students who are giving back to their community through volunteering. Our students loved volunteering at animal shelters, making goodie bags for the homeless, and wrapping gifts for toy drives!

Left image: Artiom from Moldova sorting shoes for kids at a nonprofit in Texas
Right image: Artiom walking an adorable dog for Passport For Paws

I volunteered for 45 hours starting August. It was and it still is a unique experience. I met a lot of great, funny people with whom I established a good relationship.Volunteering for a lot of hours sometimes might be tiring, but the appreciation and the respect you get after it, makes it all worth it. I enjoyed being the one that helps people and makes their day, or even their life better in a way or another. I enjoyed the feeling of not being remunerated in money, but in emotions. That’s what makes volunteering special.

– Artiom from Moldova, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Left image: Heidi smiling with children while volunteering in the Dominican Republic
Right image: Heidi (left) and her host sister (right) having fun and giving piggyback rides to two children Dominican Republic

I volunteered with my host family in the Dominican Republic. It was such a beautiful experience for me. It was my first time volunteering and it made me so happy. My host family goes there every year to help people who live in a camp with rough conditions. We stayed there a week and every day we helped the people with something different. We went to the supermarket and bought them food. Then we brought them a lot of clothes, toys, and shoes that we don’t use anymore. We also gave some things for those who go to school, like pens and notebooks. Every day we played with the kids and we taught them how to play some games. I loved the kids! They were adorable and I’m sure that I’ll do this again one day, maybe in different places.

– Heidi from Italy

Adriel from Ghana making Christmas goodie bags for the homeless population in Washington State

Volunteering is a very new activity to me. Back home in Ghana, I never did community service and I was not aware that people volunteer to help. However, I’ve come to learn this to be a part of American culture and I like it. I love volunteering because it gives me an opportunity to get out of the house for a little while and meet new people, interact with them and help them. It makes me feel appreciated and know that my little help can change things for the better. It also keeps me active and pumped up for the day. Operation Treats on the Streets is one of the places I’ve volunteered at. I filled Christmas bags for homeless people. That was a nice thing to do! I may not have done so many hours yet, but quality before quantity. And I hope my service has quality!

– Adriel from Ghana, part of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the US Department of State

Aspect students volunteering at Kaleigh’s Sleigh in Texas

I always ask my students to get involved and help with the local toy drive. Over the years some have really liked helping. This year’s group LOVED it. They wrapped the collection boxes, helped the families shop for the kid’s gifts, and even helped wrap them. They learned that this concept could be used in their home countries for everything the community needs (coats, food, blankets, etc).

– International Coordinator and Team Manager Sherri from Texas

Olena from Ukraine and Bijal from India wrapping presents for children in need
Sara from Norway with her host mom at the Jacksonville Symphony in Florida

I’ve been joining my host mom to volunteer at the Jacksonville Symphony! We’ve been at their Harry Potter show and their Christmas show. We welcome people and help them find their seats if they need it. Because all the work is done before the show begins, we can sit down and watch the show after we’ve finished volunteering.

– Sara from Norway

Aspect students volunteering at a breast cancer benefit in Texas

I was so proud of my group for waking up early to volunteer their entire day at a breast cancer benefit! While there, they had a face painter add their home country flags to their arms. I loved seeing their unity!

– International Coordinator Jennifer from Texas

Carlota from Spain wrapping gifts at a toy drive in Texas

I have been volunteering for about 2 years now, and I really enjoy it. Volunteering is such a fun activity not only because of what you are physically doing, but mostly because of the reason you do it. Helping people in any way, expecting nothing in exchange, is a very heartwarming experience, and you always get to meet new people!

– Carlota from Spain

Left image: Luka from Montenegro (right) with Aspect students at a Christmas party in Utah
Right image: Luka helping pick up litter and clean public spaces of Utah

I have been volunteering since September, and I have about 40 volunteer hours to date. What I love about volunteering is how I can spend time with my friends and family while doing something productive and helping those in need!

– Luka from Montenegro, part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program sponsored by the Department of State

Are you interested in making a student a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students! New profiles go online every Thursday!