We have recently launched our Inaugural Year for the Alumni Council and would like you to get to know them a little better! We would like to introduce you to the motivated and enthusiastic President, Ruoqing, who is very excited to get this challenging and fun journey started.
In 2010 Ruoqing went on a Quest to Ghana with United Planet, where she spent 9 wonderful weeks in Putubiw teaching young children; here she shares her thoughts and ideas and most cherished memories…
Ruoqing surrounded by her students in Putubiw
“My most cherished memory from my volunteer experience is the time I spent with my host family. They really made me feel at home when staying away from my home country and they tried their best to make me a part of the family and part of the village.”
Making the choice to go abroad for a volunteer Quest has been one of the most exciting experiences Ruoqing has had.
She had a firsthand experience with a culture foreign and unknown to her, and had the opportunity to experience together with her host family the true face and beauty of Ghana. Another memory she cherishes is celebrating Ghana’s Independence Day.
“Walking along the busy street, talking about each other’s favorite Ghanaian food, buying our little sister Grace a toy horse from a street stand and having Fufu in a hidden backyard-restaurant make up my most beautiful memory about Ghana.”
Upon her return, Ruoqing felt she had learned so much through this experience.
“This kind of understanding would never be achieved without the experience of fully immersing myself into a different culture. I did feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Ruoqing teaching in a classroom in Putubiw
Through the Alumni Council, Ruoqing wishes to continue to make a difference though her effort — which was why it was easy for her to accept the position as President of the Alumni Council.
She wants the council to give the Alumni great opportunities for networking and connecting to each other through their experiences abroad. “I am enthusiastic to contribute to this meaningful purpose.”
Ruoqing hopes volunteers and Alumni will stay involved by providing help for each other before and even after their Quest, through fundraising for the projects they went to or for other projects volunteers might feel connected to.
“Alumni could not only make contributions to the projects, but also expose more people to the opportunities provided by UP’s wonderful programs.”
A few of her students, posing with Ruoqing
We wish Ruoqing much luck and success with her hard work and dedication to the United Planet Alumni Council. She is excited about the potential it has, and she hopes that people are as excited to join as she is.
Ruoqing leaves us with her favorite quote by Kant:
“Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe —the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.”
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
