Benefits of Experiential Learning Opportunities in College

Finding Experiential learning opportunities

Look for colleges that will provide your student with flexible access to the mix of real-world experiences in his or her field or discipline of interest. These opportunities may come in the form of internships, apprenticeships, clinicals, practicums, field work, fellowships, service learning or study abroad. College students who take advantage of experiential learning opportunities are not only in a position to apply their content knowledge and skills, but also to get a jump start that will enable them to adapt and succeed in the shifting marketplace.

Content and Skill Application

Internships and other field experiences are a key part of experiential education because they allow students to apply what they are learning in the classroom in real-world situations, with real-world consequences and outcomes. As they apply content and skills learned in the classroom in a specific field, students are also afforded opportunities to build a rapport and make stronger connections with their communities.

Not only do internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in a professional field of interest, these experiences also help the students navigate the work-a-day-world protocols of time management, decision-making (in real-time), and collaboration with folks they may not know, with a view to completing a task or deliverable by that deadline. This is where they can find role models and mentors, where they can interact and get a real feel for the working culture of a particular field, including the clients, constituency, or populations they seek to serve.

The world as a classroom

Furthermore, consider the other “life-lesson” benefits students reap from the experiential learning experience that extend beyond the particulars of a discipline or field of interest; there are no paper “extensions”, no “extra credit buses “ to rescue them should they oversleep, no self-selected study groups, and no “redo’s”.

Study abroad offers a wonderful cultural experience, an authentic way for the traveler to engage with the world, to gain access to other mentalities through learning and speaking other languages, and to appreciate different points of view. Yet many college students are not able to access this opportunity due to scheduling or financial constraints. Look for colleges that offer multiple flexible options for a study abroad experience and plan ahead to take advantage of that experience. Talk with the Admissions Office. Can you pursue a three-week journey or a summer program, (beyond the typical semester and full-year programs that most schools offer)? Is it financially tenable? Might such an experience be included in the tuition? Do you have to be a language major in order to fit that study abroad opportunity in your schedule -and still graduate on time-in 4 years?

Final Thoughts

In summary, students need to be fully engaged in the mix; their knowledge must extend beyond the ingredients. Armed with the right questions and a commitment to thoughtful planning, college-bound students can access opportunities for experiential learning to augment their educational experience and engage more readily in the marketplace and the world at large.