How Service Learning Helped Me Give Back to My Community
As I’ve always said on tour, Northeastern has so many resources that it uses to not only enrich its students’ learning experience, but to also improve the community around it. Having a campus in the heart of Boston, and more specifically in the diverse Roxbury community, Service-Learning is an undervalued experience that not only allows you to contribute back to this incredible community we live in, but also explore the city and yourself while you’re at it! Now, for those of you that might be interested in applying to Northeastern, you might have never heard the term “Service-Learning”. So what is “Service-Learning”, exactly, and how can you use it to experience something incredibly unique during your Northeastern journey?
For those with a passion for community service, Northeastern offers Service-Learning opportunities that align course objectives with community needs. Northeastern professors can partner with the office of Community-Engaged Teaching and Research (CETR) to collaborate with a community partner in the Boston area to create a unique curriculum. For most classes, this looks like having class for 2 hours each week, and then having time set aside to travel to your community partner 1 hour a week to assist the community partner in a service project. For instance, as an engineering student, you would use your newfound engineering knowledge from the classroom to help children in Roxbury get access to STEM education, and expose them to a new subject. Imagine learning C++ in a classroom and then teaching that knowledge to children in Roxbury by coding lego robots. This hands-on experience not only reinforces classroom learning but also makes a tangible difference in the community.
Having been involved in STEM community engagements throughout high school, service learning was a natural next step to continue to give back to the community. Last semester, I served as a Service-Learning Teaching Assistant for Cornerstone of Engineering 1, which is our introductory course for all engineering majors. We partnered with Beachmont Veterans Memorial School, and looked to extend our connection with their students, aged 11-13. I have always loved working with children, especially those who might not have the resources or access to STEM. Being involved with community engagement, it’s been such a joy to nurture and support these kids, and grow strong connections to the community around us. But it’s equally amazing to see how much my first-year engineering students grow and learn to love the service-learning aspect of engineering! For engineers in particular, you can even further your Service-Learning journey to courses such as EECE 2750, Enabling Engineering. From aiding disabled individuals to mentoring children in robotics, these courses are not just about acquiring technical skills but also about applying them in service to the community.
Service-Learning is more than a program. It’s about forming connections, understanding the community, and discovering that the act of service can be an unparalleled teacher. Every Service-Learning student will tell you that every student has the chance to make a difference and learn through the act of giving back. Education can be a powerful vehicle for community engagement and social change, and encourage future engineers, doctors, teachers, and more. I’ve found that using my college education from a compassionate perspective empowers me to use my skills for the greater good. Northeastern’s experiential learning really shines in Service-Learning – where service is as integral to learning as textbooks and where every student is prepared to engineer a better world.