At Carleton, we believe experiences outside the classroom are vital to a student’s development and growth. We believe these experiences instill in students a sense of purpose and of global responsibility, both of which continue to shape their lives long after they graduate.
Over the next six weeks, we’re featuring stories from students and recent grads on the experiences they had at Carleton that forever changed their futures, and the moments they realized that they, along with all of us here at Carleton, are Here for Good.
Storytelling in Ghana
Darren Major, Master of Journalism Program
One of the things I love most about journalism is the power to connect people from all corners of the world.
Even before officially coming to campus as a student, I knew about Carleton’s commitment to doing good. Throughout my time here, I’ve felt the spirit of giving back through my teachers, classes and activities, and I’ve heard stories from my fellow classmates of the special experiences that have shaped their lives and world-views.
As a student in the Master of Journalism program, I truly enjoy being part of Carleton and the Ottawa community. But as an aspiring journalist, I’ve often felt a desire to be part of an even larger community on a global scale.
Last year, that desire became a restless energy I couldn’t dispel. I wasn’t unhappy or dissatisfied with Carleton or Ottawa. But more than ever before, I felt called to experience something new: A new environment with new people and new stories to tell.
It wasn’t long before I was boarding a plane for Ghana.
Through the Centre for Media and Transitioning Societies program, I spent summer 2016 as a communications advisor for the Ghana office of World University Service of Canada.
For the last 20 or so years, Ghana has taken huge strides in improving the lives of its people through education and community development. WUSC has played an important role with Ghanaians to spur gender equality in primary education as well as other issues related to families and local agriculture.
Despite this great work, WUSC needed help telling their story to broaden their reach and increase support. The viral potential of social media seemed like the perfect rst step in getting their message out, so I created and grew new social accounts for the WUSC Ghana office to make their story known globally. I also had the opportunity to work with one of WUSC’s partner organizations, Child Rights International. Through photography and a new website, CRI is now better positioned to spread information about the rights of children to their primary audiences – including children themselves.
It may sound cliché, but when I came back to Ottawa at the end of last summer, I knew I’d be forever changed. The opportunity to be part of and tell other people’s stories helped develop my professional skills, and it also helped me grow as a person – even in as little as two and a half months. Now, I’m excited to stay out of my comfort zone to do my part for those around me, and around the world.
Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have had the chance to see the kind of impact even one person can have for others – and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity without the support of generous donors like you who understand your ability to make a difference by investing in the work of others.
My story has just begun, and it’s thanks to Carleton and donors like you. Be Here for Good by supporting someone’s story today.
Student experiences at Carleton aren’t just about doing good for one period of time – they are designed to cultivate the desire and capacity to continue doing good well into the future. These important experiences cannot be possible without the support of donors like you.
When you support experiences for Carleton students, you aren’t contributing to a trip or a project: You are investing in the future of Ottawa, Canada and the world, making it possible for the next generation to do more good. Support the future of our world and join us in being Here for Good today.
Have your own Carleton story to share? Tell us by emailing us at advancement@carleton.ca. Don’t miss next week’s story as we follow Jacqueline De Sousa on her adventure to Finland!