Interview

Jack Foersterling

WRIT 1733

Dr. Leake

30 May 2013

Volunteer Interview: Taylor Smalley

            I had quite the experience trying to get an interview for this assignment for class. First I was assigned to interview a refugee. While I was initially quite excited to work directly with and really hear the true story of a refugee, as throughout the entire course I had really got interested in showing the individual story of a refugee instead of that of the group, I didn’t know it would possibly prove so difficult. While I understood that connecting with a refugee would be a little harder than say an employer or volunteer, I was really disappointed I was not able to meet with Christian. However, over everything, it was really cool to talk with another student about their experience at the ACC in comparison to mine.

1.     How did you start volunteering at the ACC:

My Honors writing class this quarter was a service learning course on refugees, which included a required 20 hours of community service over the course of the quarter at the ACC.

2.     What has your experience been like?

I’ve actually really liked working at the ACC. At the beginning of the course I was pretty nervous about getting all 20 hours on top of the 40 I already needed through my leadership program, but after a few visits to the ACC, I really enjoyed going their and seeing the effect I could have on the refugees as well as the entire center as a whole.

3.     What do you mostly do at the ACC?

I volunteered most of my time at the Safari Thrift Shop set up by the ACC. This would involve going in on Saturdays to help organize and run the thrift shop that is run by the ACC but also heavily maintained by the refugees as a form of job training. It was cool to just work along side the refugees more than “over” them as teachers or something like that.

4.     Now that the class is over, will you stay involved at the ACC?

While I would really like to get more involved with the ACC next year, being a science major going into pre-med track it will be really hard to balance a lot of work on top of volunteering. But, my friend Faith will hopefully have an internship there so I would probably be able to help her if she ever needed it.

5.     What has been your most rewarding experience as a volunteer?

Having spent most of my time in the Safari Thrift Shop, I think that the biggest thing was just getting to work with the refugees as equals. While they are adults, I feel as though volunteering at the actual ACC puts you as a volunteer and the refugees on two different levels. At the shop, you are working along side each other as equals and it really allows a different relationship to form.  

6.     Was there anything unexpected you encountered about refugees or the ACC in general as a volunteer?

I think it would just have to be how long 20 hours actually is, and the utter commitment you have to have to keep showing up week after week. While the work itself wasn’t truly difficult, there was just a lot of it. If you plan on volunteering at the ACC, be sure to know that you have the time, not only for your sake, but all the people you will be working with as well.

7.     How did working at the ACC change any preconceptions you previously had?

One of the biggest things that I thought about coming to work alongside refugees was that there would have been a massive language barrier between the refugees and me. However, besides for a few times, I interacted quite easily with them. The only thing that was really hard was getting used to their accents, but other than that, they’re all human, and as long as you’re open to working with them, it’ll work out.

8.     Why would you encourage someone to volunteer at the ACC?

First of all, it just feels so great to volunteer with people. It does take some of your own time, but for me, the feeling I get when I know I helped someone is well worth the time I put into it. Its also such a great place to volunteer because you get to directly work with the people you are helping. Its not like cleaning the side of the highway or something like that, you’re working with people. Overall, its just really cool to help people adopt a new life here in America.

9. Alright! Any last minute thoughts?

Nope, I think that about covers it!

10. Awesome, Thanks Taylor!