Service-Learning in Spring Term, with a Gradual Return to Field Activities

The "General Education: Service-Learning" course was offered online for the second year this term, with 67 students enrolled. In this course, which consists of lectures and 18 hours of practicum, students conducted online and on-site service activities at about 30 community organizations both on and off campus. The activities covered a wide range of themes, including revitalization of Mitaka's community-based shopping street, support for children and elderly people, food bank, homeless support, environmental issues, international cooperation, and welfare. We also expanded our activities to include new organizations within ICU, such as the "University Open Lectures for Elementary School Students" at  General Affairs Group and the new project launched by the SDGs Promotion Office established in 2021.

 

For the students' final presentations, 46 guests from inside and outside ICU, including host institutions, SL advisors and ICU students, participated in a lively presentation session that included a question and answer session. Some of the comments from students were: "I learned the significance of the collaboration between the university and the local community (serving Mitaka City)," "It is important to have a sense of involvement and enjoy being a member of the community," "Continuity is the key to gaining trust in community relationship," and "I would like to be involved in activities even after the SL program is over."

 

In addition, during the class, students were asked "What words come to mind when you think of "service-learning?" in the first and last class. In the first class, the most common words were "learn," "contribute," "cooperate," and "connect," and in the final class, after 10 classes, "learn," "dialogue," "positionality," and "reciprocity" were found. This could be the result of their awareness of their own position and how to relate to society, which they learned in class, and the experience of working on issues together with local community people as members of society.

 

This time again, classes and practicum were held under the COVID-19 pandemic, but little by little, students are returning to the ICU campus, field activities are gradually increasing, and direct dialogue between the local community, ICU faculty and staff, and students is flourishing. We hope to continue to develop our service-learning program, incorporating a good combination of online and face-to-face activities.