Megan Freiburger graduated from the University of Rochester in 2017 with a B.A. in epidemiology and a minor in biology. This year she is serving as Rochester Youth Year Fellow/AmeriCorps VISTA at the Rochester City School District’s Central Office Attendance Department. Her project focuses on improving the city school district’s attendance initiatives by addressing systemic issues that keep students out of school and prevent them from learning.
What attracted you to Rochester Youth Year?
I consider the city of Rochester to be my second home. Over the past four years of my undergraduate career, I tried to seek out opportunities to immerse myself in the Rochester community. However, as a full-time student involved in various extracurricular activities, I felt like I could never fully commit myself to giving back to the community. I applied to Rochester Youth Year in order to dedicate myself for a full year to learning about the city of Rochester and applying my strengths to its continued growth and development.
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a generally light-hearted, silly person. I love to make people laugh. I grew up in Southern California, which instilled in me a love for the outdoors and healthy living. I have always been a very logical person who is curious about everything. I am highly driven and love to dream big.
Why do you find meaning in service?
I feel very fortunate to have grown up with the opportunity to seek a higher education and ultimately pursue my passions. While I try to not take my circumstances for granted, I find meaning in service because it reminds me that I am always a part of something much greater than my own personal trajectory. I serve in order to contribute to the communities in which I live or engage with. I find a great deal of meaning and purpose when I connect with others and build lasting relationships.
How does RYY fit into your professional goals?
One day I hope to become a physician. As a healthcare provider, I want to be able to both recognize and integrate the social circumstances and environmental background of my patients so that I can best connect them with the necessary resources. I believe Rochester Youth Year is the perfect program to facilitate my continued learning in a real-world setting and inform my future career.
What’s one fact that some people don’t know about you?
Two days before my freshman year of college started I was hit by a car while riding my bike. I used a motorized scooter to get around for several months. It was definitely a strange way to start the school year but I believe everything happens for a reason.
If you could be any animal, what would you be?
Squirrel!
