Service in the City: Pushing the Boundaries of the What, Where and How in Service-Learning

Foundation for International EducationLondon, UKAri Rosenblum

“Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.”

– Chinese Proverb

Service-learning in an urban environment is a valuable opportunity but it is currently being

overlooked

Overview

• FIE’s background• Define service-learning• Benefits of service-learning in London• Types of opportunities• Feedback from sites and students• Challenges • Goals• Going forward

BackgroundFIE• London-based non-profit educational organisation established in 1998• Branch in Dublin, summer programme London/Amman • Partnership with over 40 US universities for undergraduate students• Full service programme including academics, accommodations and extra-curriculars

2011 in London• 1269 students in London• 517 internship students• 28 service-learning students (14 in spring 2012)

Internship vs. Service-Learning• All submit CV, Personal Statement, preferences, questionnaire• Distinction in type of placement and academic course• SL academic course focuses community issues and social welfare in the UK

What is Service-Learning at FIE?

A form of experiential education in which students participate in work-based learning with organisations whose ultimate goals are to achieve public good

Primary focus – learning and communitySecondary benefit - career and personal development

Benefits of Service-Learning in London

• Highest concentration of not-for-profit in comparison• 200,000 registered charities in the UK• Multicultural setting – 300+ languages in London • Exploring cultural differences in global city• London has highest rates of poverty and inequality in UK• Various types of opportunities• Build transferable skills in workplace

Statistics from Government Office of London www.gos.gov.uk, CILT - the National Centre for Language www.cilt.org.uk and Mulholland, The Guardian www.guardian.co.uk

•Socialising with clients and serving meals •Assisting in Life Skills classes•Event planning and management•Fundraising and grant writing

Homelessness charity

•Working in the wetlands including gardening and feeding the birds•Working with the grounds team to maintain the ecology of the wetlands•Working with education to aid instructors perform activities•Assisting with fundraising and PR of the organisation

National environmental and conservation

organisation

•Design flyers for campaigns•Advertising for upcoming events•Social media marketing and PR tasks•Assist with helpdesk to offer clients advice and support

Deaf children’s charity communications

department

Types of Service-Learning Opportunities

Carolyn Abraham with colleagues at Twickenham stadium collecting money and raising awareness for the charity

o Site supervisor appraisal formso In-person interviews with site supervisors and studentso Conducted survey Understanding and improving the relationship

with site supervisors

o Student feedback formso Student final academic papers in courseo Observed classes

Site Supervisor and Student Feedback from…

Site Supervisor and Student FeedbackKeen

students and

placements

Value experience

Sensitivity to needs

Balanced relationship

Shared desire to achieve common

goal

Student Feedback

“As a global citizen, I must be responsible for awareness of my own cultural understandings as well as those of others. Working at an international nonprofit in a foreign country has deepened my sense of purpose to work for the betterment of this global community. “-Concern Worldwide

“My service-learning experience has contributed to my development as a global citizen. It has opened my eyes to many different aspects of the world. It has also allowed me to learn about a different culture in a way that most people do not get to. I have been able to learn many different issues facing the United Kingdom and even was help research one important issue. As a result of my experience abroad, I have become a better person and hope to use the skills I have acquired during my service-learning placement in a future career.” – The Renaissance Foundation

Increased Social Awareness

ChallengesRecruitment•Lack of interest• Self-serving stage of life• Previous experience may act like ‘offset'

•Unaware of opportunities in London •Notion that service-learning is only hands-on•FIE does not directly recruit

Placements in London•Funding cuts – limited staff to support student•Confidentiality policies, qualifications and union rules could limit exposure to clients•Time commitment - visa restrictions/academics

Goals

• Awareness of social responsibilities – now• Encourage students to lead socially responsible lives – future• Be global citizens – long-term

Service-learning in metropolitan city shows students how it can be incorporated into every day lives

“Through service-learning, students can discover the possibility and importance of simultaneously attending to

their needs as individuals and as members of a community.”

Source: Zlotkowski, Successful Service-Learning Programs, 1998

Primary focus – learning and communitySecondary benefit - career and personal development

Going forward

• Challenge student perceptions about service-learning experience• Encourage ‘internship’ students to consider experience –

transferable and direct skills• Market programs differently – more closely intertwined approach

Suggestions?

How can we get students to engage in these experiences?