It was no ordinary spring break for the 20 American University of Sharjah (AUS) students who participated in a volunteering trip to Jordan March 23–28.

The team of students worked on several projects, ranging from helping refugees to working with school groups and the elderly, learning the value of helping those in need.

First, the AUS team worked with the non-governmental organization Tkiyet Um Ali to pack more than 60 boxes of food and amenities for refugees. The students’ hands-on experience helped them learn about the work done by Tkiyet Um Ali, which was founded in 2003 by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein to provide sustainable food aid to Jordan’s most unprivileged.

Next, the students visited an underperforming all-girls public school, where they donated educational and recreational gifts, including stuffed toys handstitched by students during the AUS Toy Stories initiative. The team also tidied up the school, painted the walls and planted saplings on the campus to help provide a better learning environment.

The AUS volunteers also visited the SOS Children’s Village, where they spent time with the children and their mothers and distributed gifts. Lastly, they visited the Golden Age Home in Amman and spent the day with the elderly.

“International volunteering is a unique opportunity for our students to experience voluntary work while learning the historical and social backgrounds of the host country. Being away from the comfort of their homes and engaging hands-on with a variety of volunteering activities empowers our students with the qualities and skills needed to become well-rounded individuals. International volunteering trips are a platform for our students to express their passion for social work, create bonds and friendships, explore new horizons, learn how to be independent, build teamwork and benefit from the learning outcomes,” said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Dean of Students.

"The trip to Jordan was filled with meaningful events. Through our visits to a school, an orphanage and a home for the elderly in Amman, we were able to have unforgettable experiences," said Nada Nasseriddin, a volunteer majoring in international relations.

The Jordan trip was organized in collaboration with Madrasati, which means “my school.” Madrasati was launched in 2008 to connect individuals, private companies and organizations, and provide them with support for improving the physical and educational learning environments of Jordan’s most neglected public schools.

The international volunteering trip is one of many opportunities offered by the university’s Community Services division to allow students to experience first-hand the value of serving others, giving back to the community and enriching the lives of the less fortunate.