Opening up through Volunteering

by Mariam, student volunteer

I started university as a reserved and introverted person, especially coming out of the pandemic, and volunteering with Student Open Circles has really helped me come out of my shell a bit and make some great friends. I’ve been volunteering in an SOC group since the first semester of my first year and I’m currently entering my fourth year. It’s been a great experience with the opportunity to work with several groups, each of which works with and benefits a different local community need. I feel like this really helps me see more of Hamilton beyond the McMaster bubble and help people I might not have even had contact with otherwise. I've also become a volunteer group facilitator in that time. I've learned so much about myself through that process, whether it's from the Open Circle reflections or through reflecting with my volunteer group in a specific service setting. I've met so many interesting people through Open Circle and had so many interesting experiences, and I can't wait to see what else I can accomplish with the organization.