Student learning outcomes from work, internship, and volunteer abroad experiences

Poster Title: Work, Internship, and Volunteer Abroad: Student learning through experience!

Poster Abstract: Students who experience education abroad through work, internships and volunteerism may be more inclined to continue, and even expand their educational forays upon returning home.

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to describe various educational and learning experiences through their efforts abroad.

Students will learn about the different cultures of work as it applies to them individually and to society as a whole.

Students will be able to describe their initial perceptions of volunteerism as compared to their perception(s) after completing a stint as a volunteer.

Students will be able to define and describe the differences between work, volunteerism and internships and what those differences mean to them as an individual.

A recent study found that "what we do not have, however, is strong and convincing evidence from activities and programs implemented in diverse contexts that resulted in better practice and improved student learning" (Guskey, 2014, p. 11).

Another study showed that "because of its importance andsocietal contribution, the framing of the teaching/learning process needs theoretical thought" (Wittman-Price, Fasolka, 2010, p. 233).

And one more study determined that "learning -- the acquisition of knowledge and skill by instruction or study -- is a continuous process in which new experiences integrate into those previously acquired" (Hauer, Quill, 2011, p. 503).

The three items mentioned above are the focus of this E-poster. We wish to offer diverse experiences in a variety of educational contexts that promote not only physical experiences but theoretical thought as well. We wish to integrate the new work, volunteerism and internship experience into those that have previously been acquired.