I was in the second year of my PhD program when a colleague asked what I would do if I had a 25th hour every day. Without much thinking, I said I would use it to help others. Like many graduate students, I was1with teaching, coursework, research, and some at-tempts at a personal life. 2, I asked myself, "Do I really need a(n)3hour to help other people--or do I need to make better use of the 24 hours I have?"
A short time later, I started to volunteer for an organization that provides4for senior citizens and people with disabilities. To my5, adding this activity to my busy life was just what I needed to6the chaos I was feeling as a first-generation international graduate student.
I was a bit7before my first ride, as I had not interacted much with people outside school. But my nervousness quickly calmed when I 8my passenger: an old woman on her way to church, She was 9to see a young international driver and was full of questions about my 10. She shared with me how thankful she was to attend11and get some fresh air. She gave me her blessings.12like these and the smiles on my riders' faces 13me to continue driving.
l started to volunteer about 3 hours every weekend—time I otherwise would have wasted14 or looking through social media. Sharing stories with my riders was much more15. My previously overwhelming schedule began to feel manageable.
