When I first started volunteering at Kamloops Immigrant Services, I was honestly confused. In Japan, “volunteering” often means working hard with no pay, but this experience turned out to be completely different. I learned that flexibility and creativity matter just as much as completing a task.
Throughout my fieldwork, I met people from many countries, most of whom were not native English speakers. Some couldn’t speak English at all. Communicating wasn’t always easy, but I discovered something important: asking questions is the simplest and most effective way to connect. It helps both sides feel comfortable and opens the door to real conversation.
The tasks were always changing. one day we went to a pumpkin patch or a night hike, and another day I spent hours working on the same project in a chair. Every moment brought new people, new conversations, and new challenges. It was sometimes tough, but mostly exciting.
Volunteering has helped me adapt to a foreign environment and build a new sense of value in myself. Using English in real situations boosted my confidence and expanded my world.