Continuing Education421 N Main StEllensburg, WA 98926-7433(509) 963-1712ce@cwu.edu
GIVE is a volunteer organization based out of Seattle, Washington that unites international volunteering with adventure travel to create a meaningful volunteer experience abroad. GIVE provides unique cultural encounters to cultivate personal growth and development, creating an unparalleled experience while transforming our volunteers and host communities, one trip at a time. GIVE offers an invaluable experience personally tailored to each volunteer, closing the gap between our volunteers and local communities. GIVE maintains low group numbers so volunteers can get to know their guides and the local community members. Volunteers work side-by-side with guides and locals, establishing close relationships that continue past the excursion. GIVE holds true to their mission, and wants each volunteer to have a unique, life-changing experience on their excursion.
GIVE’s mission is their philosophy that guides them daily: To inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
The course is challenging intellectually, physically, and emotionally. You will engage in hands-on experiential learning side-by- side with community members to address complex issues and deliver sustainable solutions in an international setting.
UNIV 304- International Sustainable Development is offered for 5-credits (quarter system). Generally, five (5) quarter credits convert to three (3) semester credits at most colleges and universities.
UNIV 304: International Sustainable Development is offered through Central Washington University which is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), and is thus eligible to transfer to most colleges and universities.
Typically, UNIV 304 is viewed as elective credit. If you would like the credits to become a part of your major program of study, you will need to work closely with your academic advisor and most likely submit paperwork to your university for course substitution. Since each university’s processes differ, we suggest you work with your advisor well in advance of your departure date.
The course has four components, each worth 25% of the total available points for the course. Details for each of the assignments below will be provided via the syllabus once the student is enrolled in the course.1. Pre-departure on-line assignment a. Students are provided with sources to navigate and discover information pertaining to the cultural, political, economic, and environmental dimensions of their destination country and community. Students may select from a variety of prompts and resources that reflect their interests and academic field of study.
b. Self-assessment to consider how the information retrieved relates to their cultural awareness of the destination community and how it influences their expectations in light of their own cultural context.
2. Participation a. Experiential learning requires a commitment to fully and positively participate in all programs, projects and activities. Participation will be evaluated by the on-site GIVE lead guides.
3. Reflective Journal a. Students shall keep a double entry journal noting key observations and their interpretation of those observations. These notes will be shared as part of regularly scheduled group dialogues. The notes and group discussions will enhance the students’ ability to process and reflect on their experience. Each student will generate a reflective journal. Reflection is a critical dimension of experiential learning. Exemplar quotes from the journal will be shared with the instructor.
4. Final Project a. The culminating project synthesizes the assignments above into a presentation that communicates the students’ experience and its present and anticipated future impact on their development personally, academically, and professionally. The students may select from a variety of mediums (video, annotated PowerPoint, paper) to convey their findings.
No, the course is designed for the GIVE excursion. The course and GIVE excursion complement each other to provide a full, comprehensive, and meaningful experience.
Your GIVE excursion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, have your international service-learning recorded on your transcript!
Transform the world into your classroom! UNIV 304- International Sustainable Development teaches students about the three pillars of sustainability and challenges them to reflect on their ability to change the world through a combination of experiential learning, dialogue circles, self-reflection, and traditional education.
Steps to Talk to Your Advisor:
Stephanie HinchliffCentral Washington UniversityStephanie.hinchliff@cwu.eduOffice: 509.963.1835
Students may request official transcripts online, through a mailed request, or in person. Payment and signature release are required prior to processing.
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