Volunteering. This word is defined as something you freely offer to do. That’s what I thought I was getting into when I started with EAL Nursing Support Group. Truthfully, I joined because my friend mentioned this volunteering program and asked if I wanted to join with her. Little did I know what I had signed up for. I didn’t know anything about this support group, nor did I know what I had to do, but I did know I liked volunteering so I thought I would give it a shot.

At first, because I am shy in making friends and don’t like taking in big groups, I was more reserved and quiet. I was paired up with a peer mentee and we started talking about a few things. We found it interesting to talk about different cultures and learn about them. What I found most interesting was how different people perceive things. Even with a different cultural background, I was born and raised in Canada and my views are definitely different compared to those who move to Canada. It isn’t something new for me to be working with people who aren’t born and raised in Canada, but I learned new perceptions; perceptions that have stuck with me even now as I work with such a multicultural and diverse community.

As I continued with EAL Nursing, I became a part of the planning committee, and again I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Liza came by and asked me if I was interested; I said yes, taking the step into the unknown. I wanted to do something more and I personally like planning and paperwork, so I thought it was a good opportunity to take. Never once have I regretted it. Not only did I learn about different cultures, but I also learned different skills. I learned how to manage my time, not only what I already had under my belt, but I added EAL nursing into the mix. I excelled even further in my computer skills: typing out minutes, fixing and formatting forms, and eventually included our wonderful EAL Nursing Times Newsletter.   I learned so much about myself, grew stronger and increased my own confidence, not only through deadlines and presentations but through communication and observing others.

I learned that volunteering isn’t just about the time you spend doing it, but it’s also about the heart you put into it.  One may ask, “Why would you want to help somebody like that for free?” My reason would be because I care and I always come out with something learned, whether it is big or small, something always comes out of it. The more time and effort you spend on volunteering, the more fun you get out of it. Not only do I have many happy memories, but helping others is always something I love doing. Volunteering with EAL Nursing gave me so much more than what I have bargained for. Take today for an example, I am already graduated and in the busy work world, but I still love coming back and helping in any way I can. I must say, EAL Nursing is much more than some volunteering job.