Volunteering - because everyone should know how to Skype

Our study abroad group was visited last week by a woman from Volunteer Dublin City North.

I'm not usually a big volunteer at home. Between work, school, newspaper, and other things I rarely find time to fit it in.

Here, I have a lot more free time. But the biggest thing that makes me want to volunteer is the opportunity to meet people outside my age group. I'd hate to leave Ireland only having met students and a few professors.

For this reason, I was especially interested in working with the elderly. They know more about Dublin than anyone else here, have more stories to tell, and more years of experience to draw from. They can also be an age group with huge social disadvantages -- for one, lack of technological skills.

I found the perfect volunteer opportunity for me -- it's the Getting Started Program by a group called Age Engage, partnered with Google. I'd be teaching people over the age of 55 basic computer skills -- from e-mailing to using word processors to Skyping with their family. Being abroad, I, along with my parents, have learned the value of Skype.

I'm psyched. It wouldn't be too big of a time commitment and I think it will be well worth it! It also won't hurt my resume.