The Maryland Community

Community - what exactly does that word mean? We hear it used all of the time and I never would have thought twice about it until one of the public policy courses I took here at the university. There are so many ways in which community can be defined.  Is a community defined by geography or ideology or both? Is a community something that can be seen or can it be imagined?

As I look back on my years at UMCP I can say that it's taken me the past three years to truly feel a part of the Maryland campus community.  At some point in my time at the university I've been involved with living and learning programs, SGA, Terps for Change, Alternative Breaks, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and WMUC Radio Station.  That is to say I've gotten a glimpse at many of the opportunities the university has to offer. Within each of these groups small communities are formed. Whether it's based on a love for music, social justice, or the environment they're all based on a shared group of ideas. Location does not define any of those communities.

UMD is a large campus and it can be easy to get lost, both literally and figuratively.  You may go to some initial meetings here and there, but without some guidance it can be difficult to find that place you call home.  It's taken me three years as a student at UMD and getting to know a wide range of people to really see myself as part of a bigger picture - this idea of a University of Maryland campus community. Whether we know it or not everything that we do here as a student is a part of this greater community and we play an important role.

Here is just one story of one student’s impact here at Maryland: I remember a couple years ago my friend Jackie wanted to raise awareness about the lack of access to clean water around the world, but she didn’t know how to go about it.  She wanted to do a fundraiser and for different reasons it didn’t work out, but she didn’t give up. Today she, with the help of friends, started the group Quench and has already raised hundreds towards their goal of $5,000 in order to build a well for a school in the developing world.

Yes, we’re here to learn, but our time at the university is so much more than reading books and taking exams. Chances are your professors and the people you walk by every day are doing great things. Like Jackie, we can all put our learning into practice. In my opinion that’s what the university is here for – to inspire.

I'm really fascinated by this idea of community. I'll most likely be coming back to it in future posts.

Peace,
Sasha