Gaëtan Espitalier, Volunteer Program Assistant
Our Volunteer Program Assistant, Gaëtan Espitalier was asked to reflect on his overall experience serving at Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly so far this year. Below are some words he shared about his favorite memories of service, lessons he’s learned, accomplishments and places he’s been able to explore while in Boston this past semester.
“The other day, when I had to move my luggage in the corner of my room to make space for my Christmas shopping, I fortuitously found the boarding pass that I used to fly to Boston. I mechanically read it out loud: ‘Flight DY7149 – 03 Aug 2018’. It made my eyebrows rise. Wait! AUGUST 03 2018!!? Have I been here for almost half a year? Time is flying.
They say time goes fast when you enjoy what you are doing. And yes, there is no doubt, I enjoy volunteering with LBFE. I enjoy my working environment, especially because I am surrounded by positive and energetic people. I enjoy the flexibility and the opportunities that a small organization offers. I enjoy creating a link between students and elders. I very much enjoy helping elders use technology to stay connected with their families. Surprisingly, I also enjoy more than anything, spending time and trying to bring joy to people with Dementia. Last but not least, I particularly enjoy spending time with elders who have different life courses and backgrounds.
This is something that I wasn’t expecting until I experienced it on a daily basis: The US is very diverse. Something I really like about LBFE and CitySites is that it is truly inclusive and doesn’t target a specific community or ethnicity. It is in line with my vision in life and my core values. I have always tried to be accepting, respectful, and avoid communitarianism.
Bostonians should be proud to live in an inclusive city that accept differences. I really like the life here. It is a cold but nice place. I liked watching the parade after the Red Sox won the World Series. I like going to the Garden to watch the Celtics, even if I’ll always be a die-hard Knicks fan. I also appreciate Jamaica Plain and love going running around Jamaica Pond. Sometimes, I fancy strolling and relaxing in Back Bay or Fenway as it makes me soak the Bostonian vibes. During this semester, I am really grateful that I had the chance to discover typical aspects of the American culture. Now, I know how it feels to be trick or treated or to share a nice meal with friends for Thanksgiving.
Outside of the city, I have also visited a few places in New England such as Salem, Providence and Plymouth. It wasn’t bad, but it made me realize how historical and beautiful Europe is, and how new the US is. This coming weekend, I am going to visit DC. I hope to recharge my batteries and come back with energy to share with my beloved elders!”
Remember to check out next week’s blog to see who will be highlighted then!
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