College Daughter phones me the other day about her college 'service project.' It seems that a requirement of all juniors at her small liberal arts college is to spend anywhere from one to six weeks on a service trip, earning between one and three credit hours. It can be done during winter or spring break, or over the summer. Here were the choices: China, Ireland, a variety of Central and South American countries, a Native American reservation in the Dakotas, and Appalachia.Of course, 'all' her fellow nursing majors are signing up to go to Peru for two weeks to work in a clinic. She was wondering what I thought of this. I'll tell you what I thought of this: Um, NO! Why would I spend over $2,000 in airfare, passport, shots, lodging and food for her to go give some shots to poor kids in Peru? My feelings are, if all those students banded together and were able to raise $2,000 a piece, wouldn't it be more charitable to DONATE that money to the clinic instead? Sheesh!
I told her that Appalachia sounded good. She can just as easily go give poor kids shots in a neighboring state. It annoys me that not only do my kids think we are made of money, but so do their colleges now. And in response to anyone who says, "Why don't you tell her she has to pay for the trip?" Well, $2,000 would basically wipe out all the money she saved over the summer working. That would take us back to square one of supporting her with gas and spending money again. Not.
You know, at first I thought that you WERE being uncharitable, but when I ready your reason, it makes perfect sense!! Of course it would be better to just send them the money!
ReplyDeleteI can understand the desire to want to go somewhere and feel like I would be doing something tangible and good, but the reality of it is it's hard. From a fiscal perspective, I couldn't do it, either (and not just because I'm still paying off a cell phone bill that was jacked way too high thanks to a kid who went over on texts despite my repeated discussions with him about not). I hope she's OK with the suggestion of helping out closer to home, and realizes it can be just as rewarding and necessary.
ReplyDeleteYou know, with kids of our own in college, I understand what you're saying here. Some of the schools really push the whole 'study abroad' thing (and of course, my sons always respond with something on the order of 'which one do you want me to study?'), virtually to the point of making it a requirement for graduation. Which has always struck me as, "What? Tuition and fees and dorm rooms aren't enough? Now we gotta buy airfares, and pay for overseas accommodations?" And for that, I get treated like some kind of provincial troll.
ReplyDelete(*sigh*)
But heck, if Appalachia is one of the options, that seems like a great way to go. And maybe even more charitable, as 'charity' goes - folks in Appalachia aren't quite so 'romantically exotic' as Peruvians; they're more like our neighbors, and perhaps therefore, a bit harder to love. . .
It's not really charity if you are forced to do it! That's more like community service.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of people much closer to home that need help. Let's work with them first.
Joe - I like to look at the big picture!
ReplyDeleteFADKOG - She is ok with it, esp. since her BFF's parents told her the same thing I did (and both of her parents immigrated here from other countries!)
Craig - I feel the same way about the study abroad thing.....maybe Husband and I might like to experience Europe before our kids do - esp. since it's OUR money!
Russ - I know! It's weird to be 'forced' to do something for others.
Reading your blog always makes me think about the very long road I have ahead of me. And how much are those trips going to cost when my girls get to college?!
ReplyDeletewho knew being charitable would be so expensive
ReplyDeleteAppalachia. Ha ha ha ha ha! Welcome to my every day world. How weird to know that she can go to a bunch of foreign countries or my home.
ReplyDeletei have no problem with people wanting to actually go somewhere far away but i'd have a problem with the college requiring it for a nursing program. seems to me if they want to build a sense of service to the underprivileged there must be opportunities closer to home.
ReplyDeleteOh no. That's the next hand in my pocket?
ReplyDeleteRhonda - By the time your girls are in college, they will be asking you for money to go to the moon!
ReplyDeleteJK - Who knew?? is right!
Agent - Considering our own state's high umemployment rate, she could basically walk to the nearest free clinic and help there. But it's funny how our nation characterizes entire regions.
Lime - Oh, it's not just the nursing program. EVERY student has to go do a service project. I'm assuming many go paint a house or school somewhere far away!
Laggin - Keep your pocketbook locked!
I've actually lived in Peru (and Guatemala too). I completely agree that there is a disconnect between the idea of this project and what it would actually accomplish.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, they actually have people in such places that are more than capable of administering shots, as well as providing all sorts of other medical services. The two grand a piece would go a lot farther if they donated the money.
If she was really interested in working abroad (and there is a need for trained people who are willing to commit to longer timeframes than 6 weeks), I would recommend that she spend the $2,000 and use it to go to an intensive language school for six weeks in Guatemala. The money will cover her plane fare, as well as her classes, and room & board with a local family. Plus, she'll end up being practically fluent.
The real point is to expose the students to a different reality than they are accustomed to. For this, she probably doesn't have to travel far.
Been there, done that. In fact, still doing that. Kids today just "don't know how good they got it!"
ReplyDeleteWorried - Considering how poorly she did in French 3, I think fluency in any language besides English is out of the question. You are right though, the real purpose is to be a cultural learning experience and she can probably get that by not traveling all that far.
ReplyDeleteNick - How do you like it here?