| Department: Community Integrated Learning (Minneapolis) Core
Courses with Service Learning: Transcultural Learning Through Community Connections and The Reflective Woman
"Nothing can take the place of hands on learning. It's one thing to "talk the talk" but "walking the walk" takes education to a whole new and amazing level. It's been so rewarding to witness what we're learning in the classroom being applied in the service-learning environment. The "aha moments" for both mentors and mentees have been never ending.
"I've had many memorable moments with community work and learning, but the one that readily comes to mind is a night spent in the East African Circle at Jane Addams School for Democracy. This weekly, one hour event gives both the mentors and the East African participants the chance to dialogue about a chosen topic or two. On this particular evening, the theme was rather loose and many of the Somali participants arrived late and a couple of them weren't very attentive.
"Suddenly, one of my students, of Somali origin, took over the conversation. She made a very passionate speech to the participants in her native language and, at the end, tears streamed down her face. I was so touched, even though I wasn't sure what she had said. She then translated it into English and the gist of it was that she had been down their path and that, if they really wanted to succeed in America, they needed to seize each moment and make the most of all opportunities presented! I have no doubt this wonderful woman inspired and motivated everyone in the room!
"I'm just so very grateful to be involved in this work of evoking hope.
More profiles >> |