By Lic. Agustina Angriman, professor of the Psychology program at the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of the Universidad Austral.

From our very first steps as human beings, we interact with others. And it is in those first steps that we also learn that, by coming into contact with others, we give, receive, and grow as individuals.

“I learned to be patient, to listen even in silence, to respect more when families open their homes to us in a certain way, to seek out the student's learning by going beyond the established norms and considering their individual characteristics. I learned to manage the frustrations of others, which also become part of us, because we want to help them improve.”

Volunteer experiences abound, but those gained at university undoubtedly help shape professionals capable of driving positive change in the society around them. The words quoted above, written by a student of the Universidad Austral At the end of their experience in the school support of the "Las Lilas" Health Post, they invite us to reflect on the value of going through a solidarity experience.

In general terms, university volunteer programs aim to work with others in vulnerable situations and contribute to addressing various needs. As Arias, a scholar of the university's role as a socially responsible entity, explains, this process seeks to raise students' awareness of current issues, provide them with an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved, and help them recognize the importance of their participation in contributing to a more equitable society. In this way, the program seeks to strengthen, through experience, the values ​​of commitment, solidarity, and respect; foster the students' holistic development; and promote civic responsibility and engagement to contribute to an inclusive society.

This is only possible by working with others, learning from and with them. The teams involved in volunteer work are large and diverse, and can include students from the same major, different years of study, other majors, or universities, as well as teachers, healthcare professionals, or members of the community being served. This collaborative work also aims to foster teamwork skills and the development of various abilities, such as the capacity to reach agreements, understand differing viewpoints, communicate assertively, listen, and be empathetic. In other words, as Bolívar-Ramirez and other scholars of volunteer experiences affirm, these spaces contribute to the development of social and emotional skills.

For this to be possible, it is necessary to have spaces for training and support for volunteers. Crucial to this are the spaces dedicated to reflecting on their experiences, the feelings and emotions that have been stirred, analyzing the tools they identify in themselves and others, and the aspects of their own lives they would like to work on.

Experiencing diverse realities and collaborating with others to influence them allows volunteering within universities to become a meaningful experience for students. These experiences, in some cases, will leave a lasting mark on their identity as future professionals and foster change in the various spheres they encounter.

Source: Profile