|
Soohee Lee
From South Korea as a Time for God volunteer at West London YMCA
What inspired you to become a volunteer?
After graduating University, I wanted to have some different
experience in different environment before starting my career. Also
I really wanted to have the time to think of what I really want
to do in the future during this experience and travels on my own.
What were you hoping to achieve?
During this period, I hoped to see wider world and various
opportunities and finally I hoped to set the goal for the future.
Also I wanted to learn some important skills at work such as administration
skills or communication skills through this work experience.
What type of activities/projects have you been involved
in?
I have been working for Housing Department at YMCA. My
main role has involved in Supporting People, Training & Development,
and Participation. In detail, I’ve been running the renewal
system for current and ex-residents and controlling the file system
for Supporting People. For the Training and Development part, I’ve
helped running Training room and then I had IT classes as a basic
Life Skills program for our residents. Also, I’ve organized
and promoted some activities such as residents’ day trips
and movie sessions as Participation activities.
Did you meet any challenges and how did you overcome them?
Well, almost everything was fine. However, few months later
since I’ve started working, some colleagues who helped me
a lot, had been off sick for a while. And then that made me depressed
so that I had tough time at that moment. However, thank to all the
other colleagues helps, I could manage it.
Out of the various activities you’ve been involved
in, what was the most satisfying?
I’ve enjoyed Participation activities most. The activities
include such as Movie sessions, Residents Day Trips, and Dance Lessons
etc. The main reason I’ve been satisfied with this part most,
is that I could have chance to contact our residents in person very
often and those activities make it possible to have very close relationship
with them. Now I think I can see what they need and what they want
to do and I could help them better.
Has the volunteer placement met your expectations?
I think so. Through the experience I could find what I
really want to do in the future and all relationships with colleagues
and residents or types of work I’ve done are very satisfying
for me.
What type of skills have you learned?
I’ve learned communication skills especially with
those who in trouble and also with staff members. Then I’ve
learned some administration skills as well.
Has the experience helped you with your future plans?
Yes, it has I think. My future plan is to be a schoolteacher
so that I needed some experience with young people and experience
controlling troubles that might happen between them. Now I could
see young people’s needs better so that I hope I could deal
with their needs and problems better. Also I want to help young
people who have problems in Korea in the future as a counsellor.
I am sure that this experience will give me many ideas and show
me the way later.
|
