As America gets ready to swear in their new President, Barack Obama, he and his wife Michelle are promoting a day of service to celebrate the U.S. holiday Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Throughout his campaign and after being elected President, Obama has emphasized the value of service to one’s country or community.
At Appleby College in Oakville, Ontario, a similar ethic is practiced. Now a part of the graduation requirements, Appleby runs an extensive International Service Program.
By incorporating international service, and not just service in the community, the school is emphasizing multiple invaluable life lessons: cultural learning, teamwork, service, hard work and personal growth. In the last couple years more than 200 students have participated, and beginning with the 2011 graduating class—and onward—every student will have or will be participating in the program.
For this school year Appleby College has more students participating than ever before, on five continents and in 15 countries, including Tibetan China, Thailand, Laos, Romania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Peru, Argentina and more.
For example, for the project in Laos, students visit the beautiful Luang Prabang area and experience rural village life along the Mekong River while helping build facilities in the poor, remote villages. Most of the projects help with schools or English, and are typically arranged with or through a large international agency so that students are always safe and secure.
All of this adds up to incredible experiences, ones that I wish I had the opportunity to participate in earlier in life.
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