International Service Learning
An important component of this program is a high-impact international service learning program for select students. The Borlaug Institute with its extensive network of international collaborators organizes and facilitates this two- to three-week International Service Learning Experience for three to four students from each partner university in the summer term following their completion of the online course. The program is tailored based on the students’ disciplines and current local community needs in the region to which the group will travel. This program differs from most of the current international travel opportunities for students as it is designed as a highly intensive assignment in which students work with local stakeholders to develop proposed solutions to dynamic challenges facing farmers, families or communities.
What is service learning?
Service learning opportunities include community engagement and service combined with learning goals aimed at enhancing student growth and the good of the community. It is a form of experiential education, vacillating between action and reflection. Students learn to link personal and social development with academics. With increased understanding comes increased and effective action—this is the goal of service learning.
According to the Center for Teaching at Vanderbilt University, students benefit in many ways from service learning experiences. These benefits include, but are not limited to, positive impact on learning, ability to apply knowledge in a real-world situation, increased critical thinking skills, greater inter-cultural understanding, increased leadership skills, and greater connections with professionals and community members for future career opportunities.
Service learning isn’t just about what you can do for a community—it’s about collaborative knowledge creation and reciprocal understanding between people of different cultures and backgrounds. Take a look at our trip from the summer of 2018 to explore more about service learning!