Who Benefits from Service Learning?

One of the key components of Bethel’s “Learn to Serve and Serve to Learn” service-learning, is the aim to have all contributors involved benefit from the experience.  If properly structured and managed, students, faculty, the university and the community will all profit from service-learning.  The following emphasizes various benefits of service-learning:

Students  

• Observe diversity, not just  differences in skin color or ethnic backgrounds, but socio-economically as  well  
• Theoretical concepts functional  to the real world having greater impact  
• Learn about community needs,  wants and assets  
• Learn how to become civically and  community-minded

Community

• Gain synergy and interest in the  perspectives that students bring to the service-learning work   
• Along with the student, capable  of undertaking concerns and projects that may not be otherwise addressed   
• Availability to access several  resources at Bethel University.

Faculty  

• Teaching has real life impact   
• Creativity and flexibility with  course work  
• Learn how to enrich the students’  experiences and service to the community.