Aneesha Doshi, a third-year Honors College student and biomedical engineering major, has always had a passion for giving. As a high school student, Doshi’s desire to serve led her to give both locally and globally through serving with Big Brothers Big Sisters, teaching English to students in Thailand, and working with local organizations in Peru. Inspired by these experiences, Doshi was determined to continue engaging in service throughout her time at Rutgers University.
“I wanted service to be a significant part of my Rutgers experience,” said Doshi. “It’s extremely important for me to give back to the community when I can. I found various opportunities to serve within the Honors College, as service is a vital part of the Honors College mission.”
When she isn’t busy fulfilling her duties as president of Rutgers Photography Club and as a staff photographer for the Honors College Media Team, Doshi can be found planning service opportunities for Honors College students as a member of the HC Serves Leadership Team. Doshi, an Alternative Break Site Leader on the Leadership Team, became interested in this opportunity after attending her first Alternative Break as a first-year student.
“My freshman year alternative break in particular holds a special place in my heart,” recalls Doshi. “It allowed me to learn more about New Brunswick and find a new home within Rutgers, as well as make lasting and impactful connections.”
Since this experience, Doshi has served as a Site Leader for two more Honors College Alternative Breaks. In 2019, she led a group of Honors College students to New Orleans to serve with Project Lazarus, an organization that empowers and provides resources to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This year, Doshi spent her winter break in New Hampshire engaging Honors College students in a week of service at Crotched Mountain, a residential school that provides education, resources, and care for students with disabilities. Doshi acknowledges that one of the most important parts of these service experiences is the reflection process.
“During the trip, as a group, we serve at an organization and reflect on the social issues we are addressing,” explains Doshi. “It leads to a deeper understanding of systemic problems and enables us to look at other perspectives and empathize with people we never would have met.”
In addition to facilitating Alternative Breaks, Doshi enjoys participating in such service projects as creating care packages for disaster relief with the Honors College and in long-term service opportunities, like volunteering at Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick. According to Doshi, there are many lessons to be learned through giving.
“Service has enabled me to look outward and learn about the world around me as well as inward to learn more about myself,” says Doshi. “I’ve been able to realize the humanity that exists within everyone. I have learned more about communities I have served in and the amazing people who dedicate their lives to improving these communities.”
Due to the knowledge, skills, and perspective that Doshi has gained through her service experiences, she encourages Honors College students to embrace a giving mindset and to use their talents and skills to make a difference in the lives of others.
“Honors College students are multifaceted individuals with a large capability to give back,” says Doshi. “It is important for them to learn about the various communities they may be involved in and serve them with the skills and knowledge they obtain from the Honors College.
Service has and will continue to play a monumental role in Doshi’s life. As she prepares to enter her fourth year at the Honors College, Doshi is eager to continue giving however she can.
In my life, I have great resources and individuals to help me succeed and grow as a person,” says Doshi. “If I can serve and give back to my community in any way, I take every opportunity to be able to.”