International Service Learning – Best Practices

1. International Service Learning – Best Practices Matthew Rudisi Appleby College Oakville, ON, Canada

2. My Perspective • American School of Kuwait – Service work • Master’s of Education – Global Educational Policy Studies • Thesis Project – ISL • Appleby College • Faculty PD Service – Patacancha, PERU • Student International Service Project - BOLIVIA • Student International Service Project - BELIZE • Upcoming: Student International Service Project - ECUADOR

3. What is International Service Learning? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2qSKcR3evY

4. Educational Benefits • ISL can help students to develop 21st century skills including global citizenship, civic engagement, critical reflection etc. • Exposure to intercultural experiences – fosters compassion, empathy, open-minded attitudes • Encourages development of skills in team work and collaboration • Provides opportunities for leadership development • Can develop project specific goals (e.g. construction, agricultural techniques etc.)

5. Inherent Challenges • ISL comes with some inherent challenges that need to be addressed • Quite often simple knowledge and awareness of these negatives help to mitigate them

6. From the Research… • “International service projects usually have goals that are distinctly global in nature. They usually offer an excellent degree of exposure and integration into other cultures” (Tonkin & Quiroga, 2004). • “ISL programs help students to acquire a deeper understanding of their world and reassure their commitment to service” (Monard-Weissman, 2003) • “combining service learning with study abroad is a powerful pedagogical innovation for increasing students' intercultural competence, language skills, and experiential understanding of complex global problems” (Kiely & Neilson, 2003)

7. From the Research… • “participation in service-learning has a direct impact on civic engagement and the continued development of cultural competencies” (Miller and Gonzalez, 2009). • “ISL projects that have a particular focus on social justice tend to create a transformative experience in the lives of students” (Kiely, 2004). • Transformative experiences often alter participants’ attitudes & outlook of life, and therefore create feelings of isolation and alienation in their daily interactions back home

8. From the Research… • “international service projects burst with potential and stumble with the weight of contradictions left unattended” (Grusky, 2000). • “early evaluations of adventure programs relied more on statements of faith than anything else” (Hattie, 1997). • “Reflective pieces are the key to creating a meaningful experience for students. Without these reflective aspects ISL projects can simply recreate cultural misunderstandings and perpetuate stereotypes” (Grusky, 2000). • This leads to Reverse Culture Shock (Allison, 2011) that negates the positive effects of ISL

9. From the Research… • Some other issues that need to be considered, which are largely absent from the literature and research • Financial cost – limits the participation to certain socio-economic groups • Gender – male vs. female participation

10. 5 issues that need attention • Interaction with Local Communities • Curriculum Connections • Critical Reflection • Restrictive Elements and Biases • Transformative Changes, Assimilation and Re-Immersion

11. 5Keys to a Successful Project • Interaction with Local Communities • Curriculum Connections • Critical Reflection • Restrictive Elements and Biases • Transformative Changes, Assimilation and Re-Immersion

12. Interaction with the Local Community The Challenge • Disconnect between the local community and the ISL participants Possible Solutions • Increased pre-trip communication • Needs analysis • Anyi– Andean reciprocal relationship • Strengthen the pre-trip curriculum’s focus on local culture • Increase continuity over time

13. Curriculum Connections The Challenge • Projects often fail to make clear curriculum connections before, during and after the trip Possible Solutions • Solve logistical issues in one way or another • Creation of specific on-trip curricular links • Set the foundation of connections during pre-trip meetings • Creation of new programs or initiatives

14. Critical Reflection The Challenge • Benefits of ISL are greatly reduced when critical reflection is sacrificed Possible Solutions • Critical reflection should take place daily in evening debrief sessions • Post trip meetings help students process what they have experienced • Surveys / newsletters sustain engagement • Social media can act as an asynchronous venue for solidarity and reflection

15. Restrictive Elements and Biases The Challenge • ISL is expensive (hence geared towards certain socio-economic groups), restrictive and may include gender biases Possible Solutions • Subsidies or financial assistance would help • Use technology to connect globally, but perform service locally • Location choice is important • Active encouragement towards the participation of both genders may be necessary

16. Transformative Changes, Assimilation and Re-Immersion The Challenge • Due to perspective changes, some students have trouble assimilating into home culture or sustaining changes in their lives Possible Solutions • Critical reflection and support are necessary • Solidarity with other participants and sustained engagement through communication • Creation of a globally aware student population reduces feelings of alienation

17. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: • Faculty development • Pre-project curriculum / meetings • Post project curriculum meetings • Project partners • Pre-project risk assessments • Pre-project threat analysis • Integrating Classroom Connections

18. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: Faculty Development and Training • Wilderness First Aid Medical Qualifications • Extensive training on procedures, protocols and scenarios • Faculty Professional Development program (summer)

19. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: Curriculum (Pre/During/Post) • Multiple pre-trip curriculum meetings • On-trip curriculum and debriefs • Post trip meetings / reflection / communicative pieces

20. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: Project Partnerships • Selection of appropriate and experienced project partners. • Creation of extended relationships with partners to foster relationships in communities • ProWorld, Habitat for Humanity, Canada World Youth, Projects Abroad, CASE

21. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: Risks and Threats • Pre-project scouting trips for risk analysis • Detailed documentation related to risk analysis and management • Communicated and discussed with students, parents, leaders in advance

22. Risk Analysis • Example Hazards: • Accommodations • Fire • Food • Water • Health • Injury • Kidnapping • Transportation

23. Appleby College • What Appleby is doing to plan and implement the most successful trips possible: Integrating Classroom Connections (e.g. Co-op credit)

25. Thank you / Questions Contact Information: Matt Rudisi mrudisi@appleby.on.ca Twitter: @matt_rudisi