SABIC students lend a hand in Puerto Rico

ELI Staff | October 9, 2018

Saudi English Language Institute students help families build hurricane-resistant homes

When Saudi Arabian students travel to the University of Delaware’s English Language Institute for the SABIC Foundation Year, they come to learn English and experience America, but sometimes that experience goes much further than expected. That was true again in 2018, when for the third straight year, the students spent a week in Puerto Rico helping build better homes for families in Villa del Rio.SABIC students work side-by-side with professionals at a site in Puerto Rico

The trip is part of a larger service learning initiative developed at the ELI that will soon be adopted by all SABIC Foundation Year programs, which help students prepare to be successful in their undergraduate studies and as future leaders at Saudi Arabia’s largest public company.

While in Puerto Rico, the students work with professionals who volunteer their time, learning how to build more hurricane-resistant homes through hands-on projects.

This was the first trip to Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria hit the island in September of 2017.

“We saw buildings still standing that the SABIC group had worked on before,” said MariaJosé Riera.

SABIC students on stage in the Trabant University Center Theater

SABIC students presented a documentary of their time in Puerto Rico in August 2018.

Students worked side-by-side with the families of Villa del Rio and students from other trips to affect the lives of 11 families.

The students filmed and edited a documentary, which was screened in the Trabant University Center Theater in August.

This service learning aspect of the UD ELI SABIC program has made a strong impression on the students who engage in the service, and on the SABIC leadership. Based on the experience of students at the UD ELI, SABIC will implement service learning in all Foundation Year programs across the U.S.

“At SABIC, giving back to our community is a part of our DNA,” said Shelli Lee, manager of the North American Educational Programs at SABIC. “Instilling students with the value of community service is not only in line with the values of our U.S. academic culture, but it reflects SABIC’s commitment to social responsibility.  We are very grateful to the University of Delaware for providing our students with this opportunity that helps them learn more about American culture and also prepares them to be responsible global citizens.”

Read the full story on UDaily, 10/5/2018

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