Rachel Wallace, a sophomore international area studies major, is a shining example of the Drexel difference. Instead of enrolling in Drexel the fall after her senior year of high school, Rachel took time off and volunteered in Mexico to work with children.
The majority of us started our college careers the traditional way: we graduated high school in the spring and started college in the fall. This is not only the traditional way, but also the practical way. However, Drexel students have proven themselves to be out of the ordinary—not only by accepting the challenge of rigorous ten-week terms, but also by choosing to control our futures in the present by taking part in the Co-Op Program. With the motivation and creativeness that Drexel students have, there are many magnificent stories that are constantly being shared around campus.
Rachel took the brave step of taking a year off after recognizing that she wasn’t entirely ready to jump back into the school scene. This is a realization that many students have but are afraid to express due to the pressures of societal norms. Rachel volunteered through a special program called “International Volunteer Headquarters.” The company placed her with a host family in a specific volunteer location for four months. Everyday Rachel would teach swim lessons for two hours at a local park, and then take the kids to the daycare, where she would also work as a teacher’s helper until the end of the school day. Come late afternoon, she would work at an all-girl after school program, where she taught English to 8-12 year olds. She would end the day by returning home to her host family with a fresh batch of water and later assisting her host mom with errands. Rachel admitted that the language barrier was a big problem at first, but after a month of living and breathing the Mexican language and culture, she quickly adapted and the communication became a lot clearer.
Rachel’s dedication and hard work left a lasting impression on her kids and her host mom. She received many cards from the kids she taught and their families. After returning to the U.S., Rachel said she still keeps in contact with her host mom. In a new and unfamiliar place, Rachel said her host mom became her “home away from home.”
The biggest challenge of this experience was returning to Drexel, Rachel said. “Getting back into that routine with deadlines and studying for tests was something I had to push myself to do after being out of school for over 6 months,” she said.While she admits the path she took her freshmen year isn’t for everyone, Rachel’s best advice for incoming freshmen is to plan study abroad adventures as soon as possible. Rachel loved being away so much so that she decided to study abroad during the fall term in Madrid. “Studying abroad really forms you into a more independent person, and it’s probably one of the best times you’ll have,” she said.
Looking back, Rachel only wishes that she spent an entire year in Mexico versus just one term. However, she is excited for what Drexel and her major has to offer in the near future. “I would love to work for a [non-governmental organization] that advocates human rights … Human trafficking is something I am terrified of and would want to work to help people effected by or in danger of becoming trafficked,” she said. Rachel also has goals to co-op in Greece in the spring and summer to help advocate for refugees.
Rachel is definitely doing her part in the world by offering her service to others. This go-getter inspires us to travel frequently and leave a piece of ourselves in different parts of the world. Travel on, collegiettes!