Service Learning
FIE’s Service Learning semester pathway offers a special kind of opportunity for student academic engagement. Combining specialized study components with work-based placements, Service Learning at FIE has the following key objectives:
- To facilitate understanding of social provision in the UK.
- To assist in the development of a sense of civic awareness, social responsibility and global citizenship.
- To build transferable job skills.
- To develop increased cultural awareness and competence.
What is Service Learning?
Service learning is a form of experiential education in which students participate in work-based learning with organizations whose ultimate goals are to achieve public good. This experience is brought back into the classroom where learning goals include the development of civic awareness, social responsibility and global citizenship are fostered through sharing, reflection and analysis.
The crucial difference between service learning and volunteerism is the opportunity to discuss, reflect and analyze the experience in an academic setting and work towards learning objectives. There will be more structure and formality in the placement than in many volunteering opportunities, and students must participate in the placement for a set number of days/hours in order to achieve optimal learning and to receive full credit for the experience.
Although – unlike an internship – the primary focus is on learning through serving and not on direct career development, this does not mean that students will not benefit enormously from the experience. Service learning students have the opportunity to gain insight into possible careers, develop intercultural and professional skills, and develop increased personal awareness. It is not uncommon to hear students comment that they get out of the experience more than they could possibly give.