Rebekah Liebermann, Tufts University Undergraduate

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Seattle, Washington and now go to school at Tufts University just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. I am studying International Relations and Community Health. I am completely addicted to travelling, learning new languages and coffee. The only photo of me in my high school yearbook is a picture of me asleep in class because I didn’t have coffee that morning.

2) What motivated you to volunteer with Rebuilding Together New Orleans?

I came to New Orleans with a group from my school last spring. We were also working with RTNO. I fell in love with the city and had so much fun working on the house that I booked my plane ticket back to New Orleans the same day we got back to Tufts!

3) What have you learned or gained from helping to rebuild?

Studying at a very internationally-focused university in a nice little neighborhood, it is sometimes all too easy for me to forget that many of the same problems that exist in other countries are prevalent in the U.S., as well. You don’t have too travel far to help out.

4) What has been your best experience in New Orleans?

A street performance by a jazz band on Frenchmen St. This concert was particularly energized and the crowd got really, really into it (especially when they played a Lady Gaga song). I had my sketchbook with me and did a drawing of the scene and one of the musicians asked for a copy of it!

5) What is next for you?

I will return to Seattle for the rest of the summer (donning my winter coat—it’s still 65 degrees there) before taking off to Amman, Jordan for five months where I will be researching Palestinian refugees’ access to health care.

Volunteered with RTNO in the past and what to share your own experience for “Meet our Volunteers: 5 Questions with…”
Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and stay in touch with RTNO at Facebook and Twitter for house updates, photos, and closings, volunteer photos and experiences, and more RTNO stories.

Or contact our Volunteer Coordinator at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or at 504-636-3058 if you are interested in volunteering with us for the first time—We welcome all volunteers, regardless of skill level or group size.