The Impact of an International Service-Learning Experience on University Students’ Community Service Attitudes

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Abstract

 In April 2023, a group of 1 administrator, 5 faculty, and 20 students from  X University traveled to the Dominican Republic to participate in an interdisciplinary service-learning project lasting six days. Disciplines involved included pharmacy (2 faculty members and 9 students), physical therapy/kinesiology (1 faculty member and 5 students), social work (1 faculty member and 4 students), and political science (1 faculty member and 2 students). The home base for the group while in the Dominican Republic was X Children’s Center, a nonprofit Christian organization tasked with feeding, educating, and providing limited medical care to approximately 125 children living in the barrio of Cienfuegos. During the service-learning experience, students engaged in various service and learning activities tied to their programs of study. Students and faculty completed the Community Service Attitude Scale (CSAS) before and after the service-learning experience (Schwartz & Howard, 1977). A total of 14 students (70%) submitted both a pre- and post-trip CSAS survey. There was a significant improvement in scores for 21 out of 25 items on the CSAS. This international interdisciplinary service-learning program positively impacted students’ attitudes toward community service including awareness of global needs.