Service-the action of helping or doing work for someone. This is the definition given by Merriam-Webster dictionary. To many, service is a single act. Like many verbs, servicing, or providing service, exists in the moment that it is performed; when I arrive to Salta, I will “begin my service.” The shortcoming of this mindset, however, is that it disregards any efforts before and after physically providing aid to another as potential service. It suggest that service has a hard beginning (once I start working for another person) and an even harder ending (once I finish my work). I disagree with this. Instead of a hard verb, service is a fluid process. There is a beginning, a middle, and an end to service, and the distinction between phases is not entirely clear. Because of this, when defining ethical service engagement, the proper manner of providing service to others, we must venture beyond the basic exchange of the physical labor, and consider the cyclic behavioral process that is service.

Pre-departure education

Starting with the beginning, before ever arriving to the site in which we plan on working, it’s essential for us to educate ourselves on every aspect of our projects. Unlike usual, this extends beyond basic cultural awareness (regional traditions and holidays). This is intense research that must fortify the necessity of our service! Why is what we plan to do significant? Why will those who’ll be effected be effected? It is not enough to arrive and “go where we are needed.” A mindless tool is a dull tool and will rust away. Instead, to be a truly effective instrument of change, one must remain sharp, and aware! We must know exactly where in the grand scheme (community or even nation) our work fits. This can be achieved through research on line as well as meeting and interacting with natives before arriving via skype or email. Rebecca A. Reisch suggests that we must have a solid understanding of socioeconomic, cultural and historical, as well as medical conditions in our respective regions. This comprehension, as she believes, will help prepare us for situations that we may perceive to be ethical dilemmas. If we are educated as to why our work is important to community members, in situations in which we must make quick, or even extended judgements, we can actively take action with the overall community’s best interest in mind. We can respond to tough situations in a manner that aligns with community values and perpetuates their ideology in regards to the subject.  Without background knowledge, there is not guarantee that the decisions we make will better the development of the region.

During the trip

It goes without saying that another key aspect of ethical service would take place while performing the actual work step of the service process. Although the original purpose of this line concerned the interest of medical students travel abroad to perform medical service, it encapsulates one of the most significant ethical practices possible; “Students should not perform techniques or procedures which they have not been adequately trained to perform.” Of course in the medical realm, this idea is directly crucial to the lives of patients. However, in any situation, this idea is essential to general safety of others as well as the progression of the project. We are all eager to grow, we want contribute our knowledge and efforts to a greater cause, yes. Nonetheless, we cannot afford to allow our excitement to cloud our rationality! The idea of this line is not to discourage growth, or personal drive. Individually, pushing limits and challenging oneself will result in personal growth. Be that as it may, we are not working alone. Additionally, it is not us alone who bears the consequence of our actions, but the community members which we serve. The purpose of this line is to remind of these very facts. Ethical service practices always regard the common goal of the team over the goals of the individual, and the wellbeing of others over personal growth. Attempting to experiment and act independently of the team is an unethical practice that risks jeopardizing the project and the safety of teammates. This is unacceptable.

Upon Return

The final phase of the service process, as I define it, is what happens after the physical labor is complete. What happens after the trip is over? To the average person, the return home is the time to reflect on personal growth, to explain to others the extent of their service, and recruit others to do what they have finished doing. This is wrong. This mindset considers the termination of physical labor to be the termination of the service. Instead, this is the time to remain in contact with the community and those who benefit from our work. The return phase of service is to ensure the sustainability of our work for the community members who may not be completely knowledgeable on how to maintain whatever has been installed by us. Ethically, we are obligated to ensure the continual quality of what it is that we have installed. We are still instruments for the development of the community. While it may not be construction, this phase is equally significant to the service process. Without it, as seen in many Engineers Without Borders projects, degradation and mismanagement in nearly inevitable.