Life in the U.S. / Student Spotlight

Celebrating Global Youth Service Day – Part Two

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In Part One, we shared how students spent time with furry friends at a local pet kennel. Now in Part Two, we’re excited to continue celebrating the spirit of Global Youth Service Day. Community Manager Kristine from Washington shares how her students helped restore a wildlife refuge, while Community Manager Brittani from Texas tells us how her group created kindness kits for children. Stay tuned for Part Three, where Aspect students help some very lucky cats in need!

Community Manager Kristine (right), with her daughter, Keira (wearing grey hat), and her 2024-25 students, volunteering in Washington State.

For Global Youth Service Day, my exchange students and I joined my church youth group to volunteer at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge in Washington. We helped preserve the habitat restoration project by removing invasive Himalayan blackberry bushes. The refuge has been working to grow native trees in the area, but the blackberry bushes threaten to overtake them. The kids did great! They cleared an area filled with blackberry bushes to give the trees a better chance to grow.

– Community Manager Kristine from Washington

Aspect students and Keira (right) making a difference as they clear out invasive bushes at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge
Community Manager Brittani’s 2024-25 students proudly holding their donation bag before filling it with supplies for children in need in Texas

I was introduced to a local nonprofit, La Tiendita, or ‘The Little Store.’ It serves as a small community grocery store, training facility, and support center for Latino students and families. My students and I filled bags with books, markers, journals, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a jump rope, and a few snacks. These kits will be passed out to elementary students that receive support from La Tiendita. The man that started the store served 18 years in prison before President Obama gave him clemency. He had such an amazing transformation!

Several parts really touched me. First, the students who showed up to help have made kindness a habit the entire time they’ve been in the U.S. as exchange students. And second, knowing we were part of something special and that our kindness kits would bless a local child who is really benefiting from our small act of kindness.

– Community Manager Brittani from Texas

Aspect students decorating donation bags on Global Youth Service Day in Texas

Would you also like to work with students from across the world? Join the Aspect team as an International Coordinator! We are always looking for great candidates in many communities, large and small, across the U.S. For more information about the International Coordinator position and how to apply check out our website!