You are here: Home → Undergraduate Studies → Experiential Learning

Experiential Learning

Why study abroad?

"The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land."
        Gilbert Keith Chesterton

"The world is a great book of which they who never stir from home read only a page."

        St. Augustine

  • Employers value study abroad.  Employers know that students who have studied abroad have valuable skills in the workplace:  initiative, tolerance of ambiguity, improved social skills, autonomy/self-reliance, acceptance of cultural differences, willingness to take risks and seek new experiences, self-confidence and interests that extend beyond the self and personal comfort.  See the results of a recent study:  http://collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/03/03-08-07tdc/03-08-07dnews-06.asp.
  • Educational advantages.  Dr. Blaine Hudson, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has stated that his goal is to have EVERY student in the college undertake a study abroad experience, which he feels is a vitally important aspect of higher education for all students, not merely those majoring in language, art or history.
  • Ambassadorship.  By patiently answering questions and asking plenty of their own, American students studying abroad put a positive face on our nation, and engender empathy across the oceans that divide us - both real and political.  Stidents will find that many of their peers abroad will not have visited the States, and will be curious about our culture, both high and low, and the origin of our national decisions.  Answering these questions contributes to global understanding and helps US students see our country from new perspectives.
  • Character building.

Study abroad opportunities

  • World Scholars Program.  World Scholars are U of L undergraduates committed to achieving fluency in a foreign language and participating actively in the global community. Current World Scholars are studying linguistics in Québec, teaching art to preschoolers in Guanajuato, and researching Latin American politics in Buenos Aires.

    For full details, go to http://louisville.worldscholars.htmledu/a-s/advising/.

  •  KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Studies)    

    The programs of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies are designed primarily to meet the needs of current degree-seeking, undergraduate or graduate students 18 years of age or older, from consortium-member schools, including University of Louisville.  Other applicants from a U.S. college or university may apply and will be considered on a space-available basis.  The KIIS program credits are obtained through Murry State University registration and transfer readily to UofL.  In addtion, because this is a subsidized program, the fees are very reasonable and considerably less than those found in other programs.

    For summer study, students must have a minimum cum GPA of 2.0 at the time of application.

    For semester study, students must have at least 60 hours by the beginning of the program, a minimum 2.75 cum GPA and a 3.0 for the Honors/Humanities option.
    • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.  The Gilman program provides awards of up to $5000 for US undergraduate students to study abroad for up to one academc year.  The program's intent is to diversify the students who study abroad, as well as the countries they visit.  Priority is given to students underrepresented in study abroad:  those with high financial need, community college students, science/engineering students, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities.

        There are also Critical Need Language Supplements of $3000 available to students studying critical need languages, for a total possible     award of $8000.

  •  

    •  

    Internships

     

     

    Why engage in service learning?

    • Community service fosters self-analysis and understanding.   "I got involved in a lot of self-esteem work, primarily with teenagers.  It helped me think more seriously about my understanding of myself and how others think of me.  I began to wonder about what kind of person I was.  I began to ask questions of myself," says s student of her service learning experience (Rhoads, 2000).  Learning to take the role of the other person, imagining how we appear or might be understood by someone else, works along with one's personal feelings and reactions to create a more developed sense of self.  
    • A diverse society needs citizens with a "caring and concerned sense of self "(George Herbert Mead).   Students learn to see how our social lives are interwoven and realize that a sense of community, collective citizenship and collaboration creates engagement, commitment and hope.
    • Employability is enhanced by new skill sets. 

     

    Service learning opportunities

    AMERICA READS Tutor Program: Tutor elementary or middle school students in reading or writing. Flexible hours, rewarding experience.

    Start at $8 working in local JCPS schools or after-school community centers. *Multiple positions available. *Paid training. *Responsible/effective tutors are raised to $8.50 after one semester of successful tutoring. All majors are eligible. If you are planning to work with children/youth or non-profits in the future, this is an excellent service-learning opportunity. This is also a great opportunity to give back to the community and one to consider if you like kids!

    Contact the Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership & Service

    852-4333, Kim Shaver, Service Learning Coordinator

    kkjohn01@louisville.edu

     

    • Psychology classes
    Document Actions