Resources for Students
Have you tried an experiential course yet? Here is a list of E-L courses in Spring'08. The Fall '08 list is coming soon!
These courses are intense and ask students to truly throw themselves into the work in order to reap the full rewards. You will be asked to do projects which break new ground and therefore you will not know exactly what will happen as you go along. You have to be flexible, ready to adapt as things change, and open to learning from the unexpected. But students say that you get out of it as much as you put in.
"The enormity of what I have taken away from my trip to the Delta has given me a new appreciation for experiential learning as a mechanism to provide a framework and context for structured classroom learning, enhancing my analytical thinking and grasp of the material." - Margot Moinester '09
"When I started working as a student scholar at the
Investigative Journalism Institute
, I got the close, one-on-one attention that everyone was telling me about. I also gained valuable professional experience in the field of journalism that ultimately influenced me to pursue journalism as a career."
- Jessica Goldings '06, now a research assistant at the Project for Excellence in Journalism in Washington, DC.
The Rewards of Experiential Learning
Intellectual Challenge
- Tackle real-world problems for which there are no answers in the back of the book.
- Challenge your powers of observation, analysis and creative thinking.
- Test theories against concrete; experience create and prove new theories.
Practical Experience
- Explore the world of a professional in the field.
- Ask yourself, "Is this field the right fit for me?"
- Sharpen applications for graduate school and employment by documenting skills and experience.
Personal Growth
- Develop skills to work in groups or independently.
- Appreciate diferences in learning style, values and world view.
- Practice taking informed risks, and learn from mistakes as well as successes.
See examples of experiential learning by category:
- Academic Internships
- Creative and Studio Work
- Field-Based Experience
- Practice Teaching
- Research and Guided Inquiry
- Service-Learning/Community-Engaged Learning
Fellowships and funding for projects
Check out what students are doing
Find faculty and courses in your area of interest
Joanna Lazar '07, Schiff Fellow, presents her project on fantasy literature at the showcase.
Also...
Connect experiential projects to your plans for career and graduate school.
The Hiatt Career Center has many resources for connecting student interests with job opportunities, internships, and graduate school programs.
Assess your skills and interests
Explore graduate schools