Learner: Lunch meditation or lecture hall?
Context:
In your “Dutch Language and Culture” course, you can join a Community Engaged Learning project with a local social center. You would help run events like concerts, open days, and meditation lunches—practicing Dutch, building leadership skills, and connecting with residents. It is fulfilling but time-consuming, requiring coordination with volunteers and balancing multiple responsibilities.
Dilemma:
A) Commit to the project, gaining hands-on experience and community connections but reducing time for other coursework.
B) Focus on classroom learning, keeping your schedule manageable but missing the real-world impact.
Story behind the dilemma:
University College Roosevelt's Community Engaged Learning program connects international students with local social initiatives like Middelburg's Stadsklooster Simpelhuys center. International students organized concerts, meditation lunches, and open days while practicing Dutch with elderly volunteers. The intergenerational project developed students' leadership skills and cultural fluency, teaching adaptability when plans changed. The collaboration brought youthful energy to the senior-dominated space. For participants, the experience created meaningful connections across age and cultural boundaries while addressing community needs - proving education thrives when classrooms extend into neighborhoods.
Resources:
| Last modified: | 09 October 2025 12.52 p.m. |