A Break to Serve Others

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It’s National Random Acts of Kindness Day, but we like to think our community encourages such acts each and every day.

Habitat for Humanity 2020
Students working with Habitat for Humanity

With that said, this day is a perfect opportunity to highlight some of the lesser known activities our students, staff, and faculty contribute to that fall into this category, including Babson service immersion trips.

This academic year alone, during the College’s winter break, a group of 10 Babson students traveled to Indian River, Florida, with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for five families in need.

And, as part of the Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy (BELA), 18 students, faculty, staff, and alumni taught the College’s signature Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology to more than 120 students and teachers in Tanzania—impacting a total of 14 communities.

Babson’s service immersion trips are designed to provide students with opportunities to engage in intensive service experiences with communities in need through reflective activities that promote civic engagement, leadership development, and an appreciation of diversity.

Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy
Tanzanian students participating in Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy

“These experiential learning opportunities help students develop a sense of personal identity and community, as well as an understanding of important societal issues, while helping others who are in need of assistance,” said Lisa Thomas, director of Service and Justice at Babson College. “Each trip provides the opportunity to meet new people, visit new places, and learn new skills. Service immersion can be very rewarding, and often, a life-changing experience.”

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