UPEI student to volunteer for six weeks in Guatemala
Eliza MacLauchlan, a fourth-year arts student and varsity field hockey player at UPEI, will spend six weeks this summer volunteering in Guatemala. MacLauchlan is the fifth student from UPEI to be selected to represent Canada in the last four years for the International Seminar, supported by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), and managed by the Uniterra program.
From July 8-August 19, MacLauchlan will join five other Canadian students and 12 Guatemalan students for the 66th International Seminar with the theme of 'The impact of volunteerism on sustainable development in Guatemala.' MacLauchlan will work with three different communities to observe how Guatemalans, specifically women, are making an economical impact in their communities. She will be putting together a report on how volunteerism in Guatemala can be used for sustainable development.
MacLauchlan was honoured to be chosen for the Seminar as she has always wanted to volunteer abroad but never had the opportunity. She gives thanks to Dr. Doreley Coll, associate professor in UPEI's Department of Modern Languages who introduced her to the culture of Central and South America, which piqued her interest in this specific volunteer experience.
'I was thrilled when I found out I was chosen to go to Guatemala to represent Canada, and specifically, UPEI,' said MacLauchlan. 'What particularly excites me about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is the direct contact I will have with Guatemalans and their culture.'
Leo Cheverie, UPEI staff advisor for the WUSC local committee, said WUSC members from UPEI were excited to see a UPEI student selected to attend the International Seminar. 'The local selection committee members who interviewed Eliza were impressed with her spirit and commitment to the Seminar and were pleased when she was selected as one of only five students nationally,' he said. 'She plans to remain engaged with WUSC, and in the community, when she returns from Guatemala. She will also continue to study and be engaged in research using her Spanish language skills, which is very impressive,' added Cheverie.
MacLauchlan has a great interest in travelling, loves to experience new things, and is looking forward to chatting with the Guatemalans in Spanish. 'In the end, I'm certain that this opportunity will change my life and lead it in the direction that I've always wanted it to go,' she added.
Most of the financial costs for the 2013 International Seminar are covered by the Uniterra program with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). However, participants are still required to fundraise and contribute $3,500 towards the program for related costs. For more information on how you can support MacLauchlan's volunteer initiative, email her directly at elizamaclauchlan@hotmail.com
