Participating in the Trek program over the course of this year has been an incredibly enriching and expanding experience. Enriching, not only because I was able to build strong relationships with children and peers in the Vancouver inner-city school community, but also because I was able to see Sociological course material in action in my placement. Not only have I found a spot in a community where I plan on working after I have completed my Trek volunteer placement, but I have had the opportunity to interact with sociological thought in a way that is rarely taken advantage of by first year university students.
Source: “School Photos.” VSB Grandview Elementary School. Vancouver School Board, 2011. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. <http://go.vsb.bc.ca/schools/gra/Pages/photo-gallery.aspx>.
This year, I was placed in Grandview Elementary School in East Vancouver as a volunteer at Visions180, an after-school childcare program. I had the opportunity to lead activities for children ranging from grades two to seven in an encouraging and diverse context. The most impactful aspect of the placement for me was being able to get to know children who came from completely different socioeconomic backgrounds from myself, and be able to take a peek into the way they saw the world. I was able to build relationships with them through play and conversation, getting to know them by chatting about both the little things (such as brainstorming colours to dye one’s hair) to larger topics such as family dynamics.
One of the most interesting aspects of course material that I saw materialized in front of me at my placement was our discussion surrounding the societal and institutional discrimination that pushes certain demographics to inner-city areas and schools. If you take Kerry Greer’s Introduction to Sociology course, you will most likely discuss themes of neoliberalism, and you will learn about how this political ideology has depleted many societies of many adequately state-funded social services. This political and economic ideology results in a greater socioeconomic struggle for families who are already in dire situations. Private organizations (think along the lines of charitable organizations and other non-governmental service-providing institutions) are now often the sites which provide many social service necessities to inner-city communities. Visions180 is a prime example of such a site, as it provides services such as affordable childcare as well as food and clothing programs to populations in need of this support.
Participating in an organization such as Visions180, which presents a very real example of the same concepts discussed in the classroom, has brought studies of sociology to life. The numbers and facts we have studied have become so much more than merely numbers and facts – they are now real people, families, and communities. Volunteering with Trek has given me an entirely new perspective of sociological concepts, and has thereby deepened my understanding of the world around me. For this reason, I highly recommend participation in Trek to future sociology students – especially those entering into their first year of university. This program will hopefully provide you with a clearer vision of your potential career or study paths at UBC. It also is a great way to add variety into your study schedule and explore parts of Vancouver you may not otherwise discover!
So, my advice to any potential future Trek student is… Take advantage of this opportunity! It is worth every minute of your time given.