How does service relate to learning?
This question, to me, seems quite simple. I think of service as a form of learning in itself. When a person partakes in service he or she learns a great deal about those being helped and even more about themselves. Through service we get to experience new culture and gain a real appreciation for the little things in life. Learning through service is a two way street, someone might set out to do service, but in the end both the person served and the server will learn something valuable.
Service is also another way to teach others. Spending time with a family who speaks little english might help them to understand more about our language, and again, the person doing the service will also learn more about the other language too. In class, we can talk all we want about going into the world and helping others - I think it is an amazing opportunity to actually do this as part of the class. We will face language barriers, cultural differences, and other difficulties in communicating with the refugees we are paired with. Learning to communicate effectively will be key in making the service beneficial for everyone involved.
