DC

In DC, students and staff (including RA’s Sarah Sullivan, a BU alumna, and Kimberly Holmes) volunteered with the local non-profit Latino Student Fund, tutoring economically disadvantaged and bilingual students (grades 1-12).

In addition to volunteering on Global Day of Service, the students in Washington also volunteered on Martin Luther King Day (all 17 students attended, as well as 3 staff) when they worked for 4.5 hours repainting the murals of a local school (Park-Monroe Elementary). Then in February they volunteered (16 students, 3 staff and one visiting professor from BU) at DC Central Kitchen. They cooked meals for the homeless alongside people participating in a culinary job training program.

So far, they have volunteered 150 hours this semester and are looking forward to continuing to embody the BU spirit of service and inclusion.

Madrid

Like last year, Madrid students volunteered at a residence for the elderly located on the campus of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Check out the poster (in Spanish) that was hung up inviting residents. Translated into English:

We would like to invite you to spend an afternoon with us, playing, dancing, chatting, and enjoying the opportunity to share our experiences and cultures for a few hours of fun.

Paris

Read this blog, Out and About in Paris to see what some BU students, alumni, and staff in Paris did while volunteering for the Salvation Army’s “Soupe de Nuit” (soup night).

Shanghai

This year and last year, Boston University students, alumni, staff, and friends gathered for a day of service with Marine Dream Foundation and other local universities to help support their cause of ocean conservancy at Nanhui Beach (30 mi. outside of Shanghai). Together, they cleaned an area of 1.5 miles and picked up nearly 2,000 pounds of marine litter, protecting the ecosystem there.

Sydney

In Sydney, 15 BU volunteers participated in Clean up Australia Day, to clean up a local park.

Academic Year 2011/2012

Boston University Study Abroad (BUSA) is offering a graduate assistantship in Shanghai to Boston University students enrolled in a graduate PhD program. BUSA graduate assistantships are intended to provide off-campus and abroad work experience to BU graduate students. BUSA graduate assistantships are coordinated through BUSA and can encompass a variety of responsibilities and opportunities on a BUSA site.

Eligibility

All graduate assistantship applicants must be Boston University graduate students in good academic standing and with demonstrated excellence in Chinese language. Students with pending incompletes will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

Preference will be given to those students who are up-to-date with their academic requirements, particularly those who have passed their comprehensive examination. Priority will be given to students who have not previously served as a graduate assistant off-campus. If two or more candidates have similar qualifications, seniority will be considered.

Duties

The graduate assistant will help the program director and faculty members at Fudan University in Shanghai with the logistical aspects of the program, which includes organizing cultural field trips, orientation, and other programs, acting as a resident assistant, or tutoring as necessary. Participation in field trips and special events is required. The graduate assistant will work 20 (twenty) hours per week. Position is contingent on sufficient course enrollment.

Compensation

The graduate assistantship package for this program includes:

• Stipend: $1,250 per month
• Housing allowance: $575 per month
• Round/trip airfare from home city to program site based on dates of assistantship
• Continuing Student Fee
• Visa/Immigration fees

Dates

One assistantship is available for the academic year, though Fall only or Spring only options are available:

• Academic year 2011/2012 – from mid August to late June
• Fall Semester 2011 – from mid August to December 23
• Spring Semester 2012 – from mid January to end of June

(Preference will be given to candidates applying for the Academic Year 2011/2012)

Application

Applicants must submit a C.V., statement of interest and at least one reference to Monika Skrobisz-Gil, International Personnel Coordinator, BU Study Abroad (mgil@bu.edu ). In their written statement, applicants should clearly explain why they are applying for the position and how working on-site would contribute to their academic and career goals, as well as personal goals.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by April 29th.