The Impact of an International Service-Learning Experience on University Students' Community Service Attitudes

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  • Author(s): Sandy White Watson (ORCID Sandy White Watson (ORCID 0000-0002-8885-6203); Hanna Rotundo (ORCID Hanna Rotundo (ORCID 0000-0001-5289-7559); Jennifer Dumas (ORCID Jennifer Dumas (ORCID 0009-0004-3211-7083); Ashanti Jones; Valerie S. Fields (ORCID Valerie S. Fields (ORCID 0000-0002-0789-4671)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education. 2024 18:113-130.
  • Publication Date:
    2024
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      University of Louisiana System. 1201 North Third Street Suite 7-300. Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Tel: 337-482-1015; Fax: 337-482-5374; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/jslhe/index.php/jslhe
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      18
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Global Approach; Service Learning; College Students; Student Attitudes; Foreign Countries; Study Abroad; Interdisciplinary Approach; Nonprofit Organizations; Learning Activities; Scores; Global Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Louisiana; Dominican Republic
    • ISSN:
      2162-6685
    • Abstract:
      In April 2023, a group of 1 administrator, 5 faculty, and 20 students from the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) traveled to the Dominican Republic to participate in an interdisciplinary service-learning project lasting six days. Disciplines involved included pharmacy (2 faculty members and 9 students), physical therapy/kinesiology (1 faculty member and 5 students), social work (1 faculty member and 4 students), and political science (1 faculty member and 2 students). The home base for the group while in the Dominican Republic was Abba's House Children's Center, a nonprofit Christian organization tasked with feeding, educating, and providing limited medical care to approximately 125 children living in the barrio of Cienfuegos. During the service-learning experience, ULM students engaged in various service and learning activities tied to their programs of study. Students and faculty completed the "Community Service Attitude Scale" (CSAS) before and after the service-learning experience (Schwartz & Howard, 1977). A total of 14 students (70%) submitted both a pre- and post-trip CSAS survey. There was a significant improvement in scores for 21 out of 25 items on the CSAS. This international interdisciplinary service-learning program positively impacted students' attitudes toward community service including awareness of global needs.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2024
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1416485