Service Learning
CEDEI is a non-profit organization committed to community service in Cuenca and works with community-based organizations to provide opportunities for students to combine Service and Learning in ways that are appropriate to both the local region and students.
Community-based organizations in Cuenca are routinely understaffed and overworked. Service in these organizations can have an immediate impact on the disadvantaged population of this area, and learning in this environment is varied and exponential. There is increased awareness and appreciation of Spanish language, socio-linguistic issues, cultural perceptions, family values, women's issues, etc.
The service environment provides the larger "classroom" whose learning will be integrated in the traditional classroom at CEDEI through discussions, written essays and shared reflection.
Typically, a three-credit Service Learning experience will comprise 30 hours of service in a community-based organization and 24 hours of class meetings.
Students will be assigned a service site based on student interest, field of study, course work and other factors such as site availability, numbers of hours needed, etc. Over the course of the semester, they must serve 30 hours at their sites. The site supervisor must confirm that students have served their 30 hours.
Service Learning can be taken as part of the Semester in the Andes or arranged as an independent study at other times of the year.
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