Experiential learningabroad oea&service learning.csbsju
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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ABROAD: THE JOURNEY College of St. Benedict | St. John’s University
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International Experiential Learning: The Journey with CSB/SJU. This session was presented at the "Creating Engaged Communities: The Role of Service-Learning" conference at the St. Cloud State University Welcome Center on May 23, 2011.
Transcript of Experiential learningabroad oea&service learning.csbsju
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ABROAD:THE JOURNEY
College of St. Benedict | St. John’s University
Introductions
CSB | SJU Education Abroad Service-Learning
The Intended Experience
The Search
Building partnerships
Intensive Planning
Launch
I don’t think that we are in Minnesota any longer!
Finally, we launch!
The Lived Experience
CSB/SJU Visits India Students serve at various NGOs throughout Kolkata
Association for Social and Environmental Development Biodiversity and
Environmental Issues Solar Lamp Project
Prayasam
to give a child everything that is her/his right by acting as a catalyst between society and the children. Its vision of organising children of West Bengal into acting as agents of positive change is based on a unique model, propelled by its mission of "education for all through the process of each one teach one".
Water for People
Water in 8 of 19 districts within West Bengal are arsenic-ridden, making it unsafe for more than 5 million people, who often turn to nearby ponds shared with livestock. As a result, West Bengal has one of the world’s highest levels of water-related illness.
Loreto Day Sealdah
OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN
PBS: Undertold Stories
Benefits of ISL
CPs comment on enthusiasm, passion, helpfulness. “(students are) adaptable, highly
motivated, and eager..comfortable with ambiguity…”
Because of this, I plan to go to graduate school. “(students) often make career choices on the basis of IPSL experience.”
Students feel a different exposure to Indian culture, “more radical educational experience than conventional study abroad”
Students interact in a professional way – different than school, family or peer interactions.
Students make a lasting impact in the community, mutually beneficial relationship
Students develop “significant qualities of leadership including adaptability and
resourcefulness”
Students gain confidence with new language skills used during the ISL experience.Bringle, R., Hatcher, J. & Jones, S. (2011). International service learning: Conceptual frameworks and research. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Challenges
Time, time, time
Alignment with major Struggle to find academic connection, intersection between theory and
praxis
Creating sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships
Students struggle to just be and not do
“…because of their level of engagement, found reentry to American society especially difficult.”
Bringle, R., Hatcher, J. & Jones, S. (2011). International service learning: Conceptual frameworks and research. Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Did I come all the way to India to do this??!!
Binding books…
Tips for Success
Preparation Students’ attitudes Come with an open mind, no hidden agenda Ability to deal with ambiguity
Intentional Reflection Clear learning goals and planned reflection
Assessment 360 degree evaluation process
Re Entry Providing local opportunities for students to stay connected
Where are we going?
Continue to strengthen the relationships with our on-site partners and resources.
Develop efficiencies and economies of scale through: continued cross-departmental partnerships, resource sharing, feedback via assessment
cycle, and sustainable global
relationships.
Discussion
What relationship do you currently have between Education Abroad and Service Learning? How can you make this stronger?
Why would you bother to work together (strengths/benefits)? What are the challenges to collaboration?
What are some successful practices of domestic service-learning which could be applied to international work? Are there lessons from abroad which could be transferred back to on-campus and local community work?
Riding your camel off into the sunset….
Conclusion
Thank you!
Marah Jacobson-Schulte, M.S.Service-Learning Coordinator
CSB/SJUhttp://csbsju.edu/Service-Learning.htm
Peggy Retka, M.S.Director, Education AbroadCSB/SJUhttp://csbsju.edu/[email protected]
Joy Ruis, M.A.
Education Abroad Advisor
CSB/SJU
http://csbsju.edu/OEA.htm
320.363.5990
Jennifer StevensonSocial Science with Secondary [email protected]
