MF
Michael Foster
  • Harrisburg, PA

Michael Foster to Volunteer in Orphanage in India as Part of York College Course

2010 Dec 7

Michael Foster of Harrisburg, a senior sport management major at York College of Pennsylvania, will volunteer in an orphanage in India over holiday break as part of a geography course titled Making a Difference in a Globalizing World.

Professor David Fyfe and ten students will spend from Dec. 26 – Jan. 15 in southern India, where they will devote most of their 20-day stay to volunteering at orphanages operated by HOINA (Homes of the Indian Nation).

Making a Difference in a Globalizing World is two courses taken consecutively for three credits (one credit in the fall and two credits in the spring). The fall course integrates academic perspectives on how to make a positive difference in a globalizing world with the experience of doing local and international service work. The objective of the semester is to understand contemporary perspectives on globalization, development, and social change in an international context, according to Fyfe.

While in India, students will be expected to help with whatever will benefit the staff and children in the homes. Daily activities may include teaching English to staff and students, helping prepare food, painting/whitewashing, and playing with the children.

Upon returning from India, the class will once again meet throughout the spring semester. The objective of this portion of the course is for students to think critically about their travel experiences and to analyze how individuals or groups can make positive differences in an increasingly globalized world, according to Fyfe.

"Next semester will be more reflective," he said. "Students will a) write a summary experience for the HOINA newsletter about their time in India, b) create a handbook on the course and travel for future classes, c) work with a local nonprofit to see how service in York County compares with the service they have done abroad, and d) share their experiences with a 'community partner' here in York or in their hometown."