One meaningful part of my experience here at Notre Dame has been the opportunity to serve others in ways that are both personal and impactful. Volunteering here isn't something students do to fill up their time. It becomes part of your community and your routine.
This year, I have had the chance to volunteer through several different spaces on campus and in the South Bend community, each shaping my perspective in a different way. There are still so many opportunities on campus I have yet to explore, but these are some of the places where I have been able to volunteer at so far.
Through volunteering at Memorial Hospital, I have been able to meet people from every walk of life. What at first seemed like a large, intimidating, sterile institution gradually began to feel like a familiar community. Slowly, you'll start to recognize faces in the hallways as the nurses start to greet you by name, and the doctors will take time to ask you about your classes. What began as a volunteer shift slowly becomes something you genuinely look forward to each week.
Sometimes my friend, who has the shift before me, coordinates his schedule so it overlaps with mine. We use that time not only to catch up, but also to take our break and visit one of the hospital staff members, Raoof, who reads our palms and tells us our good fortune. It may seem like a small detail, but moments like that are what make the experience feel human rather than purely clinical. They remind me that hospitals are not just places of procedures and protocols. They are filled with stories, personalities, humor, and connection.
Most of my responsibilities involve cleaning, interacting and helping with patient comfort, and restocking supplies. At first glance, those tasks may not seem glamorous. However, they are essential. They ensure that patients feel cared for in even the smallest ways and help the hospital function smoothly. Occasionally, when special cases come in, I am able to observe procedures that I may never see again in my lifetime. Watching those moments unfold firsthand has strengthened my desire to pursue medicine. Being exposed to a real clinical setting has helped me understand that healthcare is not just about science. It is about presence, compassion, and teamwork.
I also work with children at the Early Childhood Development Center, which can sometimes be challenging, but starting my day by reading and interacting with them always brings joy. There is something grounding about stepping into a room full of energy, curiosity, and imagination. The children do not care about exams or deadlines. They care about the story you are reading and whether you will join them in play.
Those are the parts that actually stick. Helping them bundle up in their snow gear so they can play outside in the snow. Sitting on the floor and pretending to be characters in a make-believe world. Watching their faces light up when they manage to make a huge domino trail across the classroom. Those experiences remind me that volunteering is not just about fulfilling a commitment. It is about slowing down and intentionally making someone feel seen, supported, and valued.
SOLO skiing is one of the most unique and special ways to volunteer at Notre Dame. SOLO stands for Special Outdoor Leisure Opportunities. Once a week, I set aside about five hours to travel to Swiss Valley and help teach skiing. The drive itself has become part of the routine. Each lesson looks different because everyone has different goals, abilities, and comfort levels. That variability is what makes the experience so meaningful.
Over time, you build real friendships. Not just with your SOLO buddy, but also with fellow volunteers, and even local skiers who regularly participate in SOLO sessions. My friend and I were fortunate to be matched with the same buddy and a local volunteer. Week after week, those shared experiences in the cold air and on the ski lifts turned into conversations, inside jokes, and genuine connection. Teaching someone how to ski is about more than technique. It is about trust. It is about encouragement. It is about celebrating progress that may seem small to others but feels enormous in the moment.
Within our dorm communities, there are also countless ways to serve. I volunteered at St. Margaret’s House, a day center for women and children, with some of the girls in my dorm, and that experience was especially meaningful because we were not just showing up as individuals—we were showing up as a community. Serving alongside the people I live with deepened both our friendships and our shared sense of responsibility. In those moments, we were representing our dorm, our campus, and the values that Notre Dame instills in us.
Across these different spaces, I have learned that service at Notre Dame looks different for everyone. Whether it is in a hospital ER, a preschool classroom, a women’s shelter, or on a snowy slope, each experience has shaped how I understand community and care. Volunteering here is not separate from student life. It is woven into it. It challenges you, grounds you, and reminds you why you chose to be here in the first place.