Northeastern’s service learning is an important program that has flown under the radar for most students. I had no idea Northeastern offered service learning before this year, but since I started working with the International Institute of New England, or IINE, I’m really glad they do. My experience with IINE has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time in college so far.  

Service learning is a program offered in some classes at Northeastern that sends students to work with charities and community organizations.

I’m partaking in service learning as part of my International Affairs 101 class, and so far, it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I was given a number of different organizations from my professor and TA that I could choose to work with, and I landed on IINE, which is a non-profit that helps refugees and asylum seekers find jobs and assimilate to life in America. IINE appealed to me because I worked with a lot of immigrants through my job as a golf caddy; I understand how hard it can be for some people to assimilate, and finding jobs can be especially tough for them since many don’t speak English or have relevant experience or skills.

I wasn’t sure exactly what I would be doing at IINE at first, but I was excited to help. It turned out that what I, along with my fellow volunteers, do is help immigrants with computer skills. I show up to their office near the Chinatown stop on the Orange Line once a week and help teach everything from basic keyboard skills to Microsoft Excel.

In previous years, those doing service learning with IINE were much more hands on with helping people get jobs or housing. But since the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, the organization’s ability to help has been hindered, and it was forced to downsize. 

Before I started, I thought service learning was just going to be extra work added to my already busy schedule, however, I have really enjoyed my time there. The work is rewarding, and I feel like I am really helping people who now can graduate from the program with computer skills on their resumes.

That is not to say that the service learning program is not without problems. Months into the semester, some of my classmates, who are working with 50:50 startups, a group that aims to help Palestinians and Israelis come together by creating jointly-owned businesses, have not even started working with their community partner — yet.

But despite these few issues, Northeastern’s service learning program is a net positive. It is really important for students to get out into the local Boston community and connect with people outside of the Northeastern bubble. 

I know it may sound cliche — and I’m not saying that college students don’t have problems — but we are very privileged to be where we are. Going out and helping people who are not as fortunate is a great way to gain perspective on the world and what other people go through. 

I think these lessons especially apply to my program, as I also get a bit of an international perspective through my work. I’ve come to understand a bit of what refugees go through and have become exposed to cultures I never would have otherwise.

Service learning is a terrific thing and something that all students should try to do at least once before graduation. Not every class offers service learning — I just lucked into doing it. However, I think it should be something people seek out and try to do, since you are not just helping people in need — you are helping yourself grow.

Robby Wolff is a combined journalism and international affairs major. He can be reached at [email protected]. 

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