When it suddenly becomes real
During the minor, students worked on ideas that could actually be used in practice. “Think of a card game on cultural sensitivity for volunteers working with young people, or a flyer for cross-cultural learning about and from autism,” says Noviar. “That’s when you notice: for students, it suddenly becomes real. It’s no longer something for a grade, but something that someone will actually use.”
This also means they have to look beyond their own ideas. They align with commissioners, take the organisation and other stakeholders into account, and quickly run into the question: does this actually work in practice?
According to Janse, that is exactly where the value lies. “Everyone learns in this process. Students develop skills, partners gain new insights, and as a lecturer you learn how to guide these collaborations, including the moments when things get uncomfortable.”
Insecurity is part of it
“Working with practice is not always comfortable. Insecurity among students is part of the process,” Noviar explains. “They don’t always know if they’re on the right track, or what a commissioner expects. But that’s exactly what makes it so valuable.”
They learn to switch, make decisions, and navigate different interests. “And they see what happens when their ideas are put into practice. What works, and what doesn’t.” In reflections, Noviar hears it time and again: contact with the ‘real’ world makes the difference. “These are experiences they don’t gain from the lecture hall alone. It helps them discover where they want to work and what they can contribute.”
Want to know more?
Read more about the Global Health minor or explore how you can apply Community Service Learning in your own teaching.