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

mjacobsonsc@csbsju.edu320.363.5117

Peggy Retka, M.S.Director, Education AbroadCSB/SJUhttp://csbsju.edu/OEA.htmpretka@csbsju.edu320.363.5962

Joy Ruis, M.A.

Education Abroad Advisor

CSB/SJU

http://csbsju.edu/OEA.htm

joyruis@csbsju.edu

320.363.5990

Jennifer StevensonSocial Science with Secondary EducationCSBjastevenson@csbsju.edu