On september 10, NEWS@UOS participated in the “Volunteerism II” class. Although the lectures were at night, most students attend this class. “Volunteering is different between highschool and university. Volunteering is an important step toward to maturity. Also it gives a chance to rediscover oneself.” said social worker Oh Soon-hee. She calls students ‘teacher’ because volunteers are not being taught as passive students, but giving lessons to others and helping needy people as a positive teacher would.
Volunteerism is made up of a two hour theory lecture and thirty volunteer hours. This lecture offers a good opportunity for students to get a credit while doing volunteer work. The UOSCC (the University of Seoul Community Welfare Center) introduces places and organizations where you can do volunteer activities. And the UOSCC helps students to get the volunteer work they want. Students can self-improve and contribute to the school’s image through volunteering. In 2006 the University of Seoul (UOS) phased in this program, one that other universities have had for some time.
The word volunteer originates from the latin ‘voluntas’ meaning free will. The definition of this word is: Activity to service and respect others of one’s own accord. “It is much better, more worthy work to volunteer of my own free will than volunteering to fill some duty hours when I was in high school.” said Kim Kyung-tae (Dept. of Environmental Horticulture, 08’)
The kind of volunteer work that can be done through this program is very varied. There is a mentoring program where you advise adolescents as someone more experienced in life. You can also visit a house in need of help or hold various events in this program. Also you can help in events held by citizen groups or medical institutions. Volunteering for environmental clean-up also exists. There is a saying, “Polluted environment, polluted society”, this sentence emphasizes the importance of environmental clean-up volunteers. Through various volunteer works, students can confirm their social position. Students have a chance to search for their direction, while meeting many people.
“Society offers many benefits to us. So should we devote ourselves to society?” said Kim Kyung-tae. That is one of the reasons we need volunteers. In particular, our school receives help from Seoul. It is sufficient that we volunteer for Seoul in return.
We get not only credits, but also many rewards like rediscovering ourselves, gaining various experiences, maturity, and expanding understanding of our society by volunteering. And that improves the quality of our whole social life.
How about you apply for “Volunteerism” next year?
Hwang In-sool Junior Reporter
his7248@uos.ac.kr