Submitted by Nyasha Rutanhira on the 2025 Spring program in Limerick, Ireland…
At the end of my program, I received the University of Limerick’s Presidential Volunteer Award in recognition of my work with UL AccessCampus during my time abroad. When I arrived in Limerick, I felt a strong desire to engage with the community that would be my home for the next four months. That opportunity came through volunteering at the University of Limerick’s AccessCampus, a satellite campus in the city’s Southside that promotes access to education for underrepresented groups and promotes inclusion through community-centered initiatives.
I had the privilege of volunteering with Conversation Club, a program supporting members of the displaced Ukrainian community as they learn English. The goal is to create a welcoming, participant-led space where language learning happens naturally and at each individual’s pace. This experience allowed me to build meaningful relationships, engage in cross-cultural exchange, and witness the power of language in building community.
Volunteering abroad has been one of the most rewarding parts of my study abroad experience, proving that wherever we are, community engagement truly makes a difference. (Submitted May 7, 2025)
