Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

Psychologists often allude to the dissonance between cultivating an altruistic method of dependency versus autonomy– wherein ensuring self-sufficiency through volunteerism should be prioritized. My volunteer experience at UL has been nothing short of mutually enriching, providing resources, information, and support to the community of fellow students, whilst concurrently supplementing my cognitive wellbeing– a sensation coined ‘helper’s high.’ When visiting the Student Volunteer website, one is exposed to a plethora of volunteer opportunities in a variety of social realms, including education, healthcare, and youth guidance. Upon beginning my academic career at UL, I was thrust into a fruitful network of volunteer opportunities, the first of which was UL Global’s Student Ambassador Programme. A key component of my UL Global volunteering centered around my status as a full-time international student– a unique element of ingroup identity that allowed for mentorship opportunities for Erasmus and study-abroad students attending UL for a single semester. Participation in cultural workshops associated with our increasingly globalized UL student body as a student volunteer provides me with the opportunity to invest energy in meaningful projects that contribute to the betterment of my cherished UL international collective. The experience is mutually beneficial, as giving back to UL Global brings internal fulfillment in return. 

As my UL student experience progressed, I found other avenues of volunteer opportunities, specifically in the sociomedical realm. UL has graciously partnered with the Menignigits Research Foundation in a fundraising effort, culminating in an expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Summiting Kilimanjaro in honour of meningitis research fundraising through UL is a socially rewarding, medically supportive, altruistic effort to eradicate a problematic medical condition that primarily impacts the stratum of young, college-aged individuals.  

Eventually, my volunteerism efforts were formally recognised with the President’s Volunteer Award, a ceremony in which students can partake if they fulfill a minimum hour requirement, with commendations ranging from single semester recognition to Gold PVA. I was honoured to receive a President’s Volunteer Award for my collaboration with UL Global, yet despite the ceremonious praise for my voluntary undertakings, the sheer emotional award of making a social impact is enough for me.  

Want to volunteer? Check out the following websites: 

PVA Website: https://www.ul.ie/presidents-office/presidents-awards/presidents-volunteer-awards   

UL Volunteer Website: https://www.studentvolunteer.ie/ul  

UL Student Volunteering Office: https://www.ul.ie/student-affairs/student-volunteering-office