Courtney MyersPsychology student Courtney Myers is part of a team volunteering in Dominican Republic schools in February.

Students preparing for overseas volunteer experience

Courtney Myers has wanted to volunteer in the developing world for a long time. She is about to accomplish that goal, with a one-week stint helping to teach English to schoolchildren in the Dominican Republic.

The fourth-year psychology major and two other UWindsor students—Celeste Bowering and Jocelyn Havens—along with John Purdy, will spend the February study week volunteering with Outreach360, a non-profit development organization.

“I have wanted to do a mission for a long time,” Myers says. She vacationed with her father in the Dominican Republic and met a family he had helped years before, as part of a team building houses.

“They just love having volunteers there,” she says. “Being one of those people is so inspirational.”

She also acknowledges that working in a school relates to her own career path.

“I am studying developmental psychology and want to work with adolescents who have experienced trauma,” says Myers.

The cost of the trip is one of the few sources of concern for the team. Members have been busily soliciting donations. Find out how you can help on its support website.