When Jessica Weston was choosing a study abroad location, she had two qualifications: beautiful weather and English-speaking. So, she chose the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where she was able to fulfill her academic requirements, as well as develop her interest in volunteer work through a course called “Rebuilding Christchurch.” The New Zealand city was recovering from a series of violent earthquakes.
Several months later, her own hometown, Washington, Illinois, was hit with a disaster: a powerful tornado that injured more than 120 people and damaged almost 500 homes. She drew upon her experiences to start a successful grassroots relief effort run out of her campus apartment.