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Volunteering & Social Services

By Miriam Lewis Homesickness

By Maya Hall
Would you like some career experience or maybe some time away from study? In addition
to looking pretty good on your resume, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and Preface: As I was preparing to leave, I was given the advice that courage is merely “knowing that you
give back to the community!! Melbourne, college and uni are pretty lit – there are so many have a soft place to fall, and the resources to get back up again.”
opportunities!
I come from Brisbane: a city that, from its first sordid breath of humidity upon my arrival, I vowed to
leave. Yet still, shortly after moving into my new home in Melbourne, I began to feel this awful longing
College Uni for the place I had sworn to hate. Homesickness crept in like a curse. I missed my family and my dog
The Social Services committee runs lots of events Want to meet some friends at uni and get involved and my mother’s cooking. I missed knowing my way around and the feeling of confidence that came
throughout the year, which are a brilliant way to in social service? Joining clubs is a really good with that.
get involved, and are literally presented right in way to do this. There are plenty that are available
front of you! for you that might help with your volunteering/ You’re more than likely going to feel this yourself to some extent. When our comfortable world suddenly
social service adventure. There are honestly so flips – a new city, new people, new system, new room, new living situation, new limitations, or lack
Past events: many clubs – check out UMSU’s Clubs Listings thereof, on our freedoms – it’s no wonder we start to feel (more than a little) overwhelmed!
» World’s Greatest Shave under Community Service on their website!
» SwapVac (get clothes you don’t want, swap Luckily, you’ve made your way into one of the most supportive, inspiring, lovely groups of people I have
with others at college, leftover clothes goes to Social Justice yet to come across. So, let’s get you through this first rough transition so that you can thrive in the
Savers (local store)) Politics is a big thing in Melbourne and plenty daunting yet wonderful land you’ve entered! Here’s my advice:
» Tutoring for refugees of opportunities to get involved in marches
and political action. If this interests you, events 1. Annoying and impractical as it may sound, 5. Create a presence for yourself. A common
These are great opportunities that many members are often posted on Facebook and can be try to accept and embrace the change. side-effect of homesickness is depressive
of JCH get involved in and are always heaps of found advertised within the uni on poles, in the and anxious tendencies, which can see
fun! bathrooms, and so on. Get a JCH contingent 2. Set yourself some structure: have a set time you retreating to the solitude of your room.
together & embrace your inner rebel! you’ll wake up each day, go for a walk after Perhaps choose one space and make an
Outside College lunch, plan to read in the Bage before bed. effort to spend your free time there.
There are many opportunities outside college/uni Something to remember… Whatever floats your boat, but ensure you
too! For example, we have quite a few hospitals So all this is pretty cool to get involved in - but have some sort of plan for the first while to 6. Continue doing the things you enjoyed at
around which look for vollies – I volunteered with it is okay to not get involved in everything. You keep you busy. home. Play your favourite sport, or bake
the Starlight Foundation at the Royal Children’s might feel a tad overwhelmed in a new place with in the kitchenettes. Even small things like
and it was really incredible. everything there is to do. So, get involved in what 3. Tired as you may be, put your utmost into wearing your pyjamas to breakfast, can help
you want, so long as it doesn’t sacrifice study time, making friends. Attend meals, join college- make the transition seem less harsh.
For the nature nerds, there are also big networks self-care and the other important things. run activities, suggest outings or walks
for environmental volunteering, such as through Good luck and have fun! together: the possibilities are endless. 7. Get yourself some independence: after a
Parks VIC (ParkConnect) & even UniMelb. Some 4. Refrain from leaning too heavily on old- little while, you may feel the confines of the
volunteering options require a weekly/fortnightly support networks. It’s hard, but calling your college bubble. I strongly encourage you to
commitment, but others might be for just a day. It parents every day, or visiting home every purchase yourself a bike and take yourself
can be suuuuper flexible (perfect for students). fortnight only cements your reliance on exploring.
these faraway networks. Find support in 8. Last, forgive yourself. Everybody sane is
Here are some helpful websites! You can also college instead. This is a prerequisite to struck by the pains of change, but you’re
look on specific company websites for their job making college feel like home. where you’re meant to be: this is an
postings. adventure and, if you got into this fantastic
» https://govolunteer.com.au college, you’re the type of person capable of
» https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au (look seizing this opportunity for all it’s worth.
under “for volunteers” and then “search for
volunteer roles”)
» https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/ For better or worse, you are not alone through this. So get on
in-victoria-vic out there kid, and embrace all this adventure has in store for
you! And, if ever you can’t find someone to talk to, I’m always
around so come on up and have a chat.

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