As a student who not only believes in giving back, but also truly loves volunteering, I have been a part of three amazing volunteer experiences since my senior year of high school. My first volunteer experience took me to New Orleans, Louisiana, in February 2010. I was part of the National Student Leadership Conference student alumni volunteer project which included 68 students from all over the country who were selected to help with Hurricane Katrina relief working alongside the National Relief Network (NRN). Our team planted over 7,000 trees in six days for the purpose of replenishing the wetlands which will act as a barrier to help break up a future hurricane before it hits land. Our work will also serve to encourage wildlife to return to the area. My second volunteer experience grew from the first as an SOS call from the National Relief Network that went out requesting volunteers to provide assistance after the devastation caused by a very destructive tornado season in Alabama. I joined the team in July 2010 and helped take down houses by hand, cleared out debris and provided tarps to cover areas where roofs once stood. My most recent volunteer experience was with GIVE, joining other engineering students in Nicaragua. We travelled to the small town of Jiquilillo and Little Corn Island. During this two week excursion, we finished building a school out of recycled water bottles, taught English to children, contributed to building a rain catchment system for a school, helped remove destructive plants from the swamps, and participated in the rescue conservation of sea turtles by helping to protect the newly hatched baby turtles make their way to the ocean. With each new volunteer adventure, I found more of myself and what I wanted to do with my life. I have become very inspired to pursue civil engineering and use my degree to help other communities in need, both here and abroad, through the construction of efficient sustainable infrastructure. I learned what a difference a small team of committed individuals can make for communities in need and I hope to be able to spend some time every summer volunteering and using my skills to make a difference in this world.