By Hajar Habbat, YES 2014-2015, Morocco

YES student Hajar Habbat from Morocco (center) with Jim Engler and Barbara Vaske at the Art Center in Ankeny, IA.

Driving home from school, my host mom and I passed the Art Center in Ankeny. Since I was desperately looking for volunteer opportunities, my host mom suggested we stop and inquire if there were any opportunities available. Upon entering, we met Barbara Vaske, the Director of the Center. She was extremely kind and very interested in learning about my culture in Morocco. She was equally helpful in identifying work that I could do for the center as a volunteer.  

I started volunteering at the Ankeny Art Center a few days later, tasked with typing guest emails and cleaning the art classes. Barbara then asked me to attend and support an art show and exhibition for local artists. I was so excited and accepted her invitation.

The exhibition was held on Thursday, October 2, 2014. I arrived at the center around 4:00pm and Barbara was so glad to see me. She showed me around, told me what I would be doing, and introduced me to a few people, including other volunteers. I was tasked with setting up the food table, providing water, and welcoming guests.

Because I arrived earlier than expected, I had the chance to meet one of the local artists, a gentleman by the name of Jim Engler. Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and has a Master’s in Fine Arts as well. He draws caricatures and has taught art at Grandview University for 34 years. I was so excited to meet him when Barbara introduced us, and she asked him to show me some of his work, which he did! Jim really inspired me, because I am also an artist. After meeting and spending time with him, I know that I can pursue my dream and create my own works of art.

At the end of the event, I took time to reflect, and realized that as an exchange student, volunteer services are very important. Volunteering gives us the opportunity to widely open our minds and vision to the world, meet new people and learn new things. There is more value in such opportunities than just working for money. I would have never learned this had it not been for my exchange experience.

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in this amazing experience; I would also like to thank Barbara Vaske for getting me involved as a volunteer at the Art Center in Ankeny. I am a proud VOLUNTEER, and I am a proud EXCHANGE STUDENT!