Students break the language barrier to know volunteering

10 students from the Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, took part in community service in South Korea. - Supplied photo

When he applied for the trip to South Korea, Mazen Al Akkad did not expect that language was going to be his biggest challenge. Yet, for him and most of his fellow Zayed University students, being UAE ambassadors in the Far Eastern country became a matter of communication survival.
"I experienced a culture shock. I assumed everyone would speak English and that was not the case. I wondered how I would survive my time there," said Mazen.
"Honestly, how come a country that is so developed, an economic leader, and has so many international relationships is so conservative about its language? Everywhere we went, the Korean language was dominant."
Mazen was among 10 cultural ambassadors, all male students of Zayed University, who took part in the international community service and cultural exploration to South Korea, organised recently by the Zayed University's Community Enhancement Programme and sponsored by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
They were selected out of 50 students and began their journey with a short course to practise basic communication skills in the Korean language. A few of the selected students were already conversant in Korean from their training at the King Sejong Institute based at Zayed University.
During their trip, the young ambassadors found that their biggest role there was to dispel stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims.
Their trip began with a day spent at a home for the elderly.
"We volunteered at a senior shelter, helped preparing the veggies, distributing food, setting up tables and chairs, and cleaning dishes and chopsticks," said Saleh bin Hallabi, one of the students.
Later on, they also lent a helping hand at a home for children with special needs.
"The best part of the trip was the community service spirit," said young ambassador Ali Yaslam. "It was my first time helping the elderly and working with disabled children. We volunteered at a home for children with extreme physical conditions. It was a very challenging experience, however, extremely rewarding," he added.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi