Serve & Learn

Serve & Learn at the University of Toronto Mississauga connects students to long-term (4-8 months) service opportunities within the Region of Peel.  Participating in a Serve & Learn program is a great way to build your skills in intercultural communication and learn about working collaboratively in communities, while gaining valuable hands-on experience and learning to develop a reflective practice.

Serve & Learn opportunities in the Peel Region include:

Participating in Serve & Learn goes far beyond volunteering. There are three core components to the program to ensure that students are prepared for their role, are supported throughout the program and are able to reflect upon their experience.

PREPARATION: All Serve & Learn participants attend pre-departure training, a 90 minute workshop designed to prepare students for their service role in the community.  Each workshop is specific to the Serve & Learn opportunity, and is presented in partnership with a representative from the community organization.  During this training session, students are introduced to the concepts of service-learning, the role they play as a service-learner, and the prevalent social issues the organization faces.  Students will learn more about the organization/group they will be working with, and have the opportunity to set goals to help guide them through the program. 

ENGAGEMENT: Students are emerged in Serve & Learn programs for 4-8 months, and will spend time working directly with the organization, playing a role in enhancing the assets that already exist by fulfilling a community-identified opportunity and making relationships directly in a community setting.

Most opportunities require a 1-4 hour time commitment per week, dependant upon the community need. This ensures that students have enough time to get to know people, master the skills associated with the role, and become immersed in the community.

REFLECTION: Working directly with Student Life staff, peers and people in the community organization, students will learn to develop a reflective practice, connecting the Serve & Learn experience to other areas of their lives.  Through self and guided reflection, students will be able to use the knowledge and skills gained through the Serve & Learn program to inform their future behaviour and decision making.

Reflection activities will occur throughout the program, and culminate with a guided reflection activity to connect all of the concepts and experieinces explored during the Serve & Learn program. 

 

If you would like more information on Serve & Learn, please contact the Department of Student Life: studentlife.utm@utoronto.ca