Every summer, the students of the Universidad Austral They have the opportunity to participate in transformative experiences through volunteer trips to El Bolsón and Mendoza. For one week, they dedicate their time to helping those most in need, combining social work, commitment, and friendship.
Volunteering in El Bolsón
A group of ten Austral University students traveled to El Bolsón accompanied by professors and the university chaplain. Together with 40 other students from various universities, coordinated by “University Students for Development ,” they carried out different activities in and for the community.
The purpose of the trip was to provide assistance to vulnerable families and to collaborate on building improvements in areas dedicated to mental health. Among the work carried out, the following stood out:
Regarding this experience, Agustín Prieto, a Biomedical Engineering student, commented: "All the values they present from day one are key to what I seek to be as a person and as a professional . "
Volunteering in Mendoza
Fifteen students and four graduates, along with professors and university staff, traveled to Mendoza to collaborate with the CONIN Foundation, whose work focuses on the prevention and recovery of children at nutritional risk. For a week, they participated in a community health outreach program in outlying neighborhoods, visiting more than 50 families per day and providing assistance to 250 children. As a result, 17 children were referred to the Prevention Center and 14 to the Nutritional Recovery Center, in addition to scheduling appointments with various medical specialists.
Candela Lemos, an Industrial Engineering student, highlighted a moving experience: "Listening to a grandmother tell us how her daughter died and the opportunity to talk to her granddaughter made me value my family much more . "
Angelina Oliva, a Psychology student, shared her perspective: "The trip is an incredible opportunity not only to help, but also to establish connections with other people who share the same desire to do their part . "
A lasting impact
These volunteer trips benefit the communities they serve, but they also transform the lives of the students, strengthening their social and professional commitment. As Franco Melchiori, a key figure in the El Bolsón trip, emphasized: "The goal is to train university students who are committed to the realities of the country and to leave a tangible and human impact on each community . "
Mariela Mucilli, Social Action Coordinator, highlighted the work of the students in Mendoza: "Every family that joins CONIN has the opportunity to change a child's story. This group demonstrated great sensitivity and commitment . "
Through these initiatives, the Universidad Austral It fosters community impact through service, within the framework of the comprehensive education of its students, encouraging experiences that leave a lasting impression on both those who receive help and those who provide it.
