1. Written by Monica Vallejo
As Northeastern students, we live and breathe experiential
learning. Whether it’s through co-op, studying abroad or classes, we’re
always looking to apply our skills beyond the classroom and make a
difference in our local and global communities. This year, Northeastern’s
Service-Learning Program was named among the best in the nation
by U.S. News and World Report. This is the sixth consecutive year that
Northeastern is recognized in this category.
During the 2015 Spring semester, the publication invited
college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and
deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 10
institutions with notable Service-Learning programs and Northeastern
was among the most mentioned institutions.
Service-Learning education integrates the classroom with the
community, engaging students in hands-on service roles and projects
in which they apply course concepts while addressing the needs of the
surrounding community. Its goal is to enrich academic experiences and
inspire community engagement.
“When we talk about our program on a national or international
stage, we are among many great thinkers and creative minds who are
doing exceptional work in the field of service-learning,” says Service-
Learning Director Becca Berkey, Ph.D.
Berkey points out that the most distinctive areas of
the program at Northeastern are the community partnerships,
faculty research in Service-Learning outcomes both nationally and
internationally as well as student leadership in teaching assistant roles.
“When done well and thoughtfully, it is hopefully a ‘win-win.’
National and international research time and again shows that not only
does it impact student success and persistence, but also provides
services and energy to the communities that surround us,” says Berkey.
During the 2013-2014 school year, 1,137 students were part
of 73 Service-Learning courses working with 87 community partners.
Beyond the numbers, service-learning changes the way students look at
their career path as opportunity to make a difference.
“Service-learning impacts the community by introducing
students to the world outside of campus, where they can engage with
people from all walks of life and learn real-life skills in their field or area
of study,” says Brooke Schober, a fourth-year Cultural Anthropology and
Latin American Studies major, who is currently doing her second co-op
as the service-learning program assistant.
Schober’s first co-op inspired her to use her major and
career interests to make a difference in Boston and Northeastern.
At her previous job, she worked with the Foundation for Sustainable
Development in Nicaragua, an organization that aims to end the cycle
of poverty in the country through grassroots efforts in the areas of
microfinance, environmental sustainability, health, education and human
rights, among others.
“I wanted to come back and get more involved in the Boston
and Northeastern communities, as well as help support initiatives and
students doing service in the States,” says Schober, who explains she
learned much about community development during her time abroad.
In addition to working in the service-learning office, Schober is
a teaching assistant for a year-long physical therapy course that focuses
around a volunteer trip to Ecuador during the Spring semester. Through
this opportunity, Doctor of Physical Therapy students will spend a week
working at For His Children, an orphanage with centers in the cities of
Quito and Latacunga, Ecuador.
“By getting students off-campus to experience things through
co-op, service-learning, study abroad, it gets students to consider and
see things in different settings that they might not otherwise,” says
Berkey. “[Northeastern] students leave their time here more aware
of society and how they can plug into it in purposeful ways. Those
who experience service-learning certainly add to that well-rounded
perspective by getting to interact with our community in a deep way.”
During the 2013-2014 school year,
1,137 students were part of 73
Service-Learning courses working
with 87 community partners.
WHAT IS
SERVICE
LEARNING?