Service-Learning Abroad

A number of study-abroad programs now include community-based service-learning courses or internship placements with nonprofits and NGO’s. Such opportunities can provide valuable understanding about global issues and insight into communities and cultures that may be quite different from your own. It is important, however, to consider a number of factors to assure that your experiences benefit the community, as well as you and your education. Service-learning experiences, whether at home or abroad, should meet certain best-practice guidelines that consider issues such as power and privilege, community voice, and reciprocity.

Outcomes:

  • Connect your education abroad studies to a hands-on, engaged community service experience and earn academic credit through a service-learning placement.
  • Enroll in specific courses abroad that focus on various social issues, while engaging with a community-based organization, within the context of your study abroad experience.
  • Connect with other students, faculty, staff and community members who are strongly committed to working for social justice, in a setting outside the USA
  • Engage in thoughtful, interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning as it relates to “service” in a global context. Explore the complexities when engaging in global issues, as an international traveler, volunteer and student

Contact

Mark Eckman

Director of Education Abroad, International Programs Office

(413)-545-2710

@email

HW
Hannah Weinronk

"I have learned about resilience, about respect, about strength, and about what sustains us as people and as communities."

CESL student Hannah Weinronk
View Profile
How to Apply

Who Can Apply?

Any student in good academic standing may explore studying abroad. The applications and deadlines can be found on the Education Abroad website.

Additional details & information : 

For specific programs, eligibility, application and deadlines, drop by the Education Abroad Office:

Education Abroad Advising Center
70 Butterfield Terrace
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Du Bois Library Learning Commons
Room O Monday – Wednesday
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (when classes are in session) 

Which Programs?

While there are several opportunities, the following is a short list. Explore the website for more, including other programs throughout Europe, Central and South America, 

South Africa      IES: Cape Town

UK                    CAPA: London: Global Community Engagement Institute

Ireland              University of Limerick Direct Enrollment

New Zealand    TEAN: Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand

Costa Rica       ICADS: Field Experience and Social Justice

India                 IFSA: India: Pune Contemporary India

Ghana              USAC: Ghana

Resources

Top Ten Things You Need to Know Before Volunteering Abroad by Dunya Carter

Seven Questions You Should Ask Before You Volunteer Abroad by Rachel Banning-Lover  

More Details

Global service-learning (credit-bearing) versus volunteering (noncredit) can be found in a number of study-abroad programs. For those seeking a full service-learning experience, the International Programs Office and CESL are working closely to identify strong, sustainable programs.

For more information on service-learning abroad, please visit the IPO website (umass.edu/ipo/education-abroad) to register and plan, early in your process.

Some service-learning abroad opportunities also meet requirements for the UMass Civic Engagement & Public Service Certificate.