Orientation Anxiety ?

Dear Service-Learning Students,

For the next two weeks you the students will be traveling around the Treasure Valley meeting your community partners for the first time. With that comes a lot of anxiety, questions and excitement. I know from my personal experiences how big of a step this can be, but know the Service-Learning Staff is here to support you.

In order to get the most out of your Service-Learning Orientation you'll need to be prepared. Here is a list of 5 tips to ensure your success!

1. Know your agency location and orientation time. You can find these details in OrgSync under your agency's page 
2. Be professional:  Watch these videos
3. Communicate with the agency before the orientation to confirm the date, time and location just in case something came up for the agency.

During the Orientation

     4.   Ask questions. If something is not clear here are some examples:

• What times can I serve?
• Who do I contact if I can't make a scheduled shift?
• What are your Risk Management Policies?
• What expectations do have for a service-learning student?

     5.   Come with an open mind.  You are there to serve, to learn, not save.

See you out there!

Mike Stefancic
Coordinator of Student Support
Call: 426-1004

Share your experiences with us:
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Volunteer Expo August 30th: Please come! Tell students!

Volunteer Expo 2013!

Students and faculty can connect with over 50 nonprofit organizations. Talk with your current community partners and meet new ones. Students are encouraged to attend!

• Friday August 30th from 10am - 2pm
• Location: Student Union, in the airy atrium near the Boise River Cafe
• Students can check out potential community partners
• Faculty can discus projects, and get ideas for new projects and partners

See you there!

Orientation? Check

The lazy days of summer, it turns out, are not quite as lazy as many assume. In fact, campus is buzzing these days with swarms of incoming students, most of them freshmen, wandering about campus and getting prepared for the fall semester. Part of this preparatory experience includes a resource fair, in which various departments and clubs set up booths and regale excited students with information on the many ways students can get involved at Boise State.

Of course, we were there, handing out fliers and information packets, answering questions, and sharing our passion for service to the community. We also gave them the rundown on the wonderful Community Work-Study program, which gives students with work-study funds the opportunity to work for certain non-profit organizations in the valley. What better way to start off one's college career than getting paid to help out one's community in some of the most important ways imaginable?

Our audience was quite receptive, and many students walked away excited at the prospects of signing up for an SL class come fall, which is always encouraging to hear. The Community Work-Study program also caught the attention of a number of students; with any luck, they'll be merrily working away once the semester starts up.

These resource fairs will be happening periodically throughout the summer. If you happen to be at the next one (or the one after that, and so on), please don't hesitate to stop by and say hi. We'd love to talk with you!

Until next time!

Spring 2013 Reflections

The end of the semester provides a unique opportunity for Service-Learning students to look back and reflect upon their experiences both in the classroom and out in the community. Each student's service project is different, and, therefore, each student walks away at the end of the semester with a unique take on the Service-Learning experience. Reflection is an important aspect of Service-Learning; it is the string that ties together the time spent in the community with the time spent in the classroom.

Here is a sampling of some of the most poignant and thought-provoking reflections written by SL students for the spring of 2013.

"I got to see first hand how to help and communicate with at risk teens. I had a great time getting to know the real people behind the trouble which most don't get to see. It influenced how I look at the kids and how we can help them grow."

"It opened my eyes and showed me how to be a better teacher by explaining things in a way that could be understood by someone who does not speak English well.  I became more excited to become a teacher because the students at the Borah Bridge program were so eager to learn and inspired me to want to be the best teacher I can be." 

"The service learning experience helped me to fully know that becoming a teacher is what I want to do. Being able to work with many different students as well as teachers helped me to see and understand the ever growing concerns within schools and how I could possibly make a difference. The service learning experience was fun, worthwhile, and I definitely learned a lot. I would recommend service learning for any student that wants to become a teacher."

"It made me aware of social problems in a more intimate way.  The service learning gave me a deeper understanding of the issues."

"I loved it.  It correlated perfectly to what we were learning in class.  It seemed like they planned it that way, but they didn't.  I felt that everything about it was very valuable to me and I have experiences to take away that are highly positive."

"I decided on my future career plans after volunteering at the English Language Center."

"Service learning was very impactful in my life. It is one thing to talk about problems in class, but to actually see it is another story. I got so much from this experience and it has really made me take a second look at my life."

"I learned a lot about cultural diversity in the classroom.  I also learned a lot about classroom management skills and different ways to teach children math concepts."

"The service learning program gave me an incredible opportunity to network with professionals in a number of fields that I was interested in. It gave me a better understanding of the work that each of these agencies do and the importance of their work and volunteers." 

 As you can see, Service-Learning is often an eye-opening opportunity, affecting the way these students think about volunteering, service, education, and the community for the rest of their lives. Indeed, some have found their callings in the course of their Service-Learning classes.

Your Service-Learning Class

Service-Learning (SL) is a way to learn course material by serving in the community. You can learn more about Service-Learning by watching this short video or you can click the following link to read about the benefits of participating in a service-learning class. You can view basic information about how SL will be integrated into your class by going to this link and selecting your course. Your instructor will provide you with more information once you begin class. Please direct any questions you have about the syllabus/course assignments to your instructor. The role of the Service-Learning Program is to support students, faculty, and community partners in all aspects of the experience. In other words, we are here as a resource and support for YOU! Check out this link to see what resources are available to you. Of course, we are always available to assist you! You may contact the Service-Learning Program office at servicelearning@boisestate.edu,  call 426-1004, or visit our office in Simplot/Micron 102 with questions about finding a service project.