Service Learning
Our communities are faced with many challenges on many different levels, from threats to democracy and peace, to issues of social injustice, ecological disasters and cost-of-living. We want to equip our students with the skills to act against these challenges. This means combining their academic knowledge acquisition with future-oriented transversal skills. At the same time, EUniWell aims to galvanise cooperation and engagement with our local communities, broadening the impact of our alliance.
The learning concept “Service Learning” combines project-based academic learning at university with volunteering and social engagement (service). University students invest their knowledge and efforts from their studies, as well as other skills and interests to support non-profit or community organisations. In addition to creating value for our society and strengthening the relationships between our universities and our communities, Service Learning teaches students civic responsibility and engagement while fostering personal, social, and professional skills.
Purpose and Significance
In each annual EUniWell International Service Learning project, we put together a team of approximately 15 students from EUniWell member universities who will undertake community service with a non-profit or community organisation. As part of the collaborative project work, a specific need of the organisation is addressed - the students can, for example, design a media campaign, develop an action concept, carry out a research project - whatever helps the partner organisation best. The project is framed by a corresponding joint seminar (conducted by an experienced lecturer) and supported by skilled Service Learning staff from several member universities.
Thereby EUniWell International Service-Learning combines tackling a real-world problem through collaborative community development, experiential learning, and studying abroad experience. In doing so, we contribute to EUniWell’s aim to create “an environment that thrives on bottom-up co-creation, where students, academic and professional staff, civil society and regional stakeholders are brought together to find innovative solutions to global and regional challenges”.
Further information
EUniWell International Service Learning Project 2023: https://www.euniwell.eu/news-events/article/engaging-with-climate-action-euniwells-international-service-learning-project-in-cologne
EUniWell International Service Learning Project 2024: https://www.euniwell.eu/news-events/article/international-students-create-creative-social-media-campaign-for-research-station-on-oeland
Contact
University of Birmingham:
- Helen Hook, h.hook[at]bham.ac.uk
University of Cologne:
- Meike Bredendiek, meike.bredendiek[at]uni-koeln.de
- Maren Mardink, maren.mardink[at]uni-koeln.de
University of Konstanz:
- Ruth Eades, ruth.eades[at]uni-konstanz.de
- Sibylle Mühleisen, sibylle.muehleisen[at]uni-konstanz.de
Linnaeus University:
- Per Pettersson Löfquist, per.pettersson[at]lnu.se
