After a series of tornadoes devastated multiple communities in Indiana and Kentucky, international students felt a need to help where they could. According to the Indianapolis Star nearly 100 Purdue University international students “…delayed their spring break to help in tornado-ravaged Marysville and Henryville, moving debris to the roadside, clearing homes and sorting food and clothing donations.”

Elsewhere, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported that students from Maryville College will spend their spring break volunteering in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, an area hit by a destructive tornado in 2011. Diana Curtis, Maryville College coordinator for service learning and ministry, said she is looking forward to learning about the unique perspective the international students will offer on volunteering since “other countries often view volunteer work in a different manner.”

Ana Guimaraez, a Brazilian student at Purdue, said “We always think of this as a rare event, happening somewhere else. Then it happens right next to you…If it happens to me someday, I'd like to think people would help, too.”

Learn more about the requirements for volunteering while you are studying in the United States.

Sources:

• Henryville, Marysville tornado victims get help from international students from Purdue,The Indianapolis Star
• YourNews: Maryville College students will spend spring break volunteering,The Knoxville News Sentinel