Reflection task 1a: Suppose you would like to join a student group at METU.

I am Merve, and I study in foreign language education department. This year is my second year in ODTÜ, but ı am a first year student because ı studied in preparation school. This fall semester is about to finish. This first semester of us is very different from the preparation class. Lectures are more complex. We have much more tasks and projects which is given us continuously. On the other hand, I got used to be a student of Metu, and this year, I also met very good teachers and friends. Actually, I also met two visually handicapped friends in my department this semester. I really want to do some beneficial things for them. When I see them, sometimes I am helping them just with directing to somewhere or help them get on/off the bus. Even so, I want contribute them and people like them more. Last year, I participated in two ‘Engelsiz ODTÜ topluluğu’ meetings thanks to my friends’ suggestion. I made some contribution for the group by sharing my opinions to facilitate their lives. However, I had to quit because of my previous dormitory’s distantness. It was out of the campus. However I want to be part of this community for handicapped people. In my opinion, it is very tragic that these people are not valued and concerned enough by all public. They are not be given primacy. There are quite life- sustaining necessities for them to be helped because they deserve more concern than they are concerned today. That is why I would like to become a permanent member of this very meaningful group. That is, I would like to share their feelings and difficulties in their tough lives. Therefore, if I become member of the group, I will get a chance to help people and I will be beneficial to society and especially to handicapped people.

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