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STUDENT EXCERPTS FROM SERVICE LEARNING JOURNALS… |
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The work opportunities with community-based nonprofit organizations throughout Somerset and Hunterdon counties are as varied as the students who choose to make the commitment to serve. |
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| Service Learner - Environmental Science Course |
| "In
the beginning, I felt great apprehension. I wasn’t sure if I
was qualified enough to be an assistant to the Spanish bi-lingual
teacher. I asked myself questions like, ‘Will the children accept
me?’, ‘Am I going to be helpful to the teacher, Mrs. Dominquez?’,
‘Will I know enough Spanish to communicate?’…In the
middle of the semester, I started to connect with the children. I
could tell Luis and Estaban started to trust me because they no longer
sought Mrs. Dominquez’s help (attention) while I was there. Also,
the other children in the classroom became confident at the same time.
In the final weeks when I entered the room, several students would
rush to my side and ask for assistance. This was quite gratifying
as I made the transition from the outsider to the accepted helper…
It was a great learning experience. Through my experience, I am going to look into being an ESL teacher. Thank you for this opportunity." |
| Service Learner - Spanish II Course |
| "The
Service Learning Program not only touched my life personally, it touched
my professional career goals. During two semesters at Raritan Valley
Community College, I was encouraged to participate in this novel and
innovative program called Service Learning. The Program’s aims
and goals included serving the community in conjunction to the academic
course work. This resourceful combination allows the students to maximize
their classroom understanding in a practical realm. Students gain
experience and serviceable skills while participating in volunteer
work. The volunteer work helps others while enriching the individual’s
character…
Community service programs like Service Learning not only enlightened my values and perceptions, it changed my career choice. Since leaving Rartian Valley Community College, I enrolled in the Social Work Program at Rutgers University. I firmly believe that the Service Learning Program encouraged a greater awareness about the struggle of others. It is an outstanding program that deserves recognition." |
| Service Learner - English I and II Courses |
