Service-Learning Abroad: Learning While Serving

Tue, 02/22/2011 - 08:00 | Sarah Palmer

Originally posted at GO! Overseas.

What you need to know:

Service learning programs combine the benefits of studying and volunteering abroad
Service learning programs are a great way to enhance your academic studies
These programs will be of interest to students looking to enter aid and development programs

Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with educators and proponents of service-learning programs. At its very core, service-learning combines education with community service - students take on a volunteer or civic engagement project and then reflect on their experience in a classroom setting.

It’s an incredibly versatile endeavor; projects may be completed from kindergarten to college and beyond, and at home or overseas. For this post, I’ll focus on service-learning abroad.