McKena Miyashiro |
Senior Kay Bodmer thought she’d spend the fall semester of senior year applying for post-grad summer internships related to her major, environmental science.
Instead, she applied to a Holy Cross program to live and teach in Uganda for 16 months after graduation.
“I hit senior year and I thought, ‘What am I doing with my life?’” Bodmer said. “I always wanted to do long term service, and what better time than after graduation?”
Bodmer is one of several seniors who will be working in religious-based service placements after graduation, both abroad and in the U.S.
Bodmer, who worked at a Catholic youth camp for the past three summers, is eager to continuing working with children when she teaches a subject of her choice, which she hopes will be science or music.
Senior Karl Groneman, is also serving through Holy Cross’ Overseas Lay Ministry program. Groneman, a Spanish and German major with a theology minor, has chosen to serve in Santiago, Chile for a year and a half. Groneman wanted to serve in Chile due to the high percentage of income inequality attributed to Chile’s long history.
“For a long time, I’ve wanted to give back. Even when I was in high school, I had an idea about doing service after college. I want to use my privilege to give back to those who are less fortunate,” Groneman said.
Groneman initially discovered the Overseas Lay Ministry program from Brother Thomas Giumenta, who spent 16 years in the Holy Cross missions in Latin America.
After serving, Groneman hopes to become a medical or legal Spanish interpreter. He hopes to continue serving others through the use of language.
“I want to take the time to put my life on pause and focus on the rest of humanity and those who are forgotten,” Groneman said. “I want to give back to the world.”
Service has been a constant part of Bodmer’s life, as she participated in service projects throughout high school and college as well as with her family. However, she worries about her teaching abilities as well as the 16 months’ commitment.
“I know I’m going to hit a point where I’m really homesick and I’m going to want the comforts of home again,” Bodmer said.
Senior Elizabeth Polsin, a biology and Spanish major, has been accepted to work with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), another religious service organization, though her placement has yet to be determined. While similar to the Peace Corps, JVC is specifically focused on faith-based service.
Polsin found out about this opportunity through the Moreau Center. The application process included a couple essays about why she was interested in doing service, in addition to scenario questions about community living.
Polsin felt that she wasn’t ready to attend graduate school right after college and wanted to do something more meaningful with her time. JVC places their volunteers around the world, though Polsin wanted to spend her time in the States.
“I think living with other people who have a passion for social justice and also have a passion for God will allow us to mutually affect each other’s faith and grow together,” Polsin said.
