International student, local hero
When Ruizhe Hao ’26, a Davis United World College scholar from Ningxia-Hui, China, isn’t busy studying for his education studies major, you may find him rushing off campus to respond to an emergency as a volunteer firefighter in the nearby town of Greenfield.
Ruizhe is no stranger to rescue work. Back in his hometown of Yinchuan, he is a volunteer member of Blue Sky Rescue Team, China’s largest nonprofit civil rescue organization. At Blue Sky, Ruizhe assists as logistic support and in training the local community. In the past, he has participated in various rescue efforts, at other times teaching safety and basic first-aid skills to students at regional schools.
When Ruizhe started at Skidmore, he imagined that his rescue work would be put on hold, but this was quick to change when Lecturer of English Brenda Pashley-Rabbitt mentioned during her writing seminar that the Greenfield Center Fire Department was accepting volunteers. Hao seized the opportunity to get involved.
He was recently featured on a billboard standing proudly beside his team at the fire department, continuing his advocacy for community involvement; “We want you: Join us,” the sign invites in large, red type.
As a volunteer firefighter actively involved in protecting and serving the community, it gives me a strong sense of purpose and community attachment.
“I don’t want to be a hero, I just want to help the people around me,” Ruizhe continued.
A version of this article first appeared in the spring 2024 issue of Scope magazine.