As a first year at the University of Virginia (UVA), Chelsea Li (CLAS ‘20) wanted to soak up all the opportunities that the University had to offer. She found herself exploring new clubs and classes and was especially eager to be in the community. “In high school,” she said, “I felt as if I was missing a lot of the learning that happens outside the classroom.” This desire to stretch her curiosity across disciplines and interests, along with an intrinsic desire to uplift those around her, was what first brought Chelsea to Madison House. 

Chelsea first joined the House as a soccer coach, where she stayed for one semester before training to become a volunteer with HELP Line, Madison House’s student-run and student-operated empathetic listening and referral hotline. Chelsea would serve as a HELP Line volunteer for the remainder of her time at UVA, working live lines and supporting the program’s outreach team. However, Chelsea also volunteered with Madison House’s ESOL tutor program through a service learning course at UVA, where she was able to apply what she learned in the classroom within a real world context. “In class, we’d talk about principles for teaching students, and it’s nice and neat,” shared Chelsea. “But [within a real tutoring session] it’s hard to navigate that fine balance of how much to teach and guide. 

Chelsea’s increasing involvement at the House soon led her to also begin volunteering with Madison House’s Medical Services program in her first year, working in several different departments and units and eventually serving as the program’s Program Director and Head Program director respectively. “Madison House inspired me and strengthened my resolve to go into medicine,” Chelsea said. “That is why I am doing a PhD. I really like helping people, but I wasn’t sure that I would want to be in medicine until I volunteered through the House and had a chance to explore.” 

Despite her already impressive contributions as a volunteer through these programs, Chelsea considers her effort to create and lead the House’s first Creative Learning After School and Summer (CLASS) program to be her most “notable” and “gratifying” experience at the House. “That was my greatest leadership role,” said Chelsea. “I was able to set something up that had never been setup before, and I was able to impact so many students at both UVA and in local elementary schools. It helped me to learn how to coordinate and navigate conversations with different groups of people.” 

Chelsea is currently enrolled in a dual MD and PhD program at Stanford University, and is applying many of the valuable lessons gained during her time at Madison House. Volunteering with HELP Line taught her how to be an empathetic and active listener in challenging situations, and she said that “learning how to talk about difficult topics has been really important [for] entering the medical profession.” Further, volunteering with the Medical Services program not only strengthened Chelsea’s resolve to go into medicine, but also allowed her to see how a hospital functions; while organizing and leading a brand new volunteer program, CLASS, taught Chelsea how to coordinate, respect, and organize the needs and priorities of different groups of people. “These skills have been super valuable in my work life, and my personal life,” said Chelsea. “It was a good way for me to learn how to interact with people and deal with conflict as it arises.”

As the interview ended, Chelsea shared her gratitude for Madison House and the undergraduate volunteer opportunities generally available at UVA and in the greater Charlottesville community (she also served as a volunteer firefighter EMT in the Seminole Trail Fire Department). As it does for so many students, Madison House brought Chelsea outside of the “ivory tower of the classroom setting” and gave her the chance to explore her many interests in the real world. Although it can be intimidating, Chelsea urges current students to get out of the UVA bubble and their comfort zone(s). “Learn what your interests are,” urges Chelsea. “Learn how to deal with people and see the perspectives of people different from you. It can be scary, but Madison House helps to make it a little bit easier.” 

For any students interested in reaching out to Chelsea to hear about her time at UVA or ask about her current graduate work as a PhD student at Stanford, don’t hesitate to contact her by email at cel6rv@virginia.edu. 

Author: Caroline Young; csy6wd@virginia.edu

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