Christine Zosche is correct ("Fliers stir up campus controversy, Apr. 7); it is difficult to measure the work of returning students from Boston College's service trips. "How many students who have gone on these trips do service work in Boston?" Zosche asked.
I have an answer: at least one. Zosche's remarks are particularly unfair because, like she said, it is hard to quantify the statistics. However, I offer my own experiences. I went on an immersion trip last year and have built upon that experience this year through work at an after-school program in Boston and by exploring issues of rural poverty in America through Appalachia.
Describing service trips as wasted time, money, and effort is inaccurate. Saying students leave the experiences in the country, aside from Facebook photos, is false. My own advocacy continues on campus through my attendance of various speakers, involvement in extracurricular activities, and enrollment in specific courses. Some participants even enroll in programs such as Jesuit Volunteer Corps and Teach for America upon graduation.
My problem with this article is the same as with the fliers themselves. Both offer indictments, and then call for dialogue. It would be best to begin with conversations and questions, not judgments.
Stafford Oliver
A&S '10
2008 Woodie Awards
