Tala Said

UNIV 190-003: Understanding Service and Social Justice” The Refugee Experience in America

Spring 2012

Action Plan
My experience in service learning this semester had an impact in my life; it allowed me to discover myself in an unbelievable way where I never knew I had that much devotion and passion for this family.  And I felt the thankfulness in return.  It really made me feel good about myself in how much I can do to change a family’s life.  It is really therapeutic.  And I do not do much; I sit down with the family, teach the mother some English and also play with the children.  In return, I learn more about them, their experiences in life, and more about the culture they come from.  This itself expanded my knowledge to a degree where I can have an intellectual conversation about it.

What I can do to improve my actions in the future regarding service and social justice is to become more patient and to not try to rush into things too quickly in order for the refugees not to be overwhelmed and that would have a negative result.  Ignatian pedagogy will definitely help me become a better person towards myself and towards anyone; the ideology behind care for self, others and community highlights the impact an individual can do to improve his/herself, the people around that individual and when combined, it would improve the community.  As a student in a Jesuit School, I believe that these must be implemented in every action for anything.