St. Cloud State University

Service-Learning in Ingolstadt – Summer 2007

Welcome to this site about SCSU’s service-learning program in Ingolstadt where 10 German majors spent this June doing various projects in the community while living with host families.

What follows, explains the pedagogy behind the project, details the components of the program, and maybe most importantly gives you insight into the students’ experiences. 

Service learning
What it is:  “Service-learning is a credit bearing, educational experience in which students participate in organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflects on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility.” ?Robert Bringle & Julie Hatcher, Office of Service Learning, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Because service learning lets you combine in-class learning with experiences, study abroad and this active form of learning are an ideal combination.   Many of the students appreciated that they could learn from and through experience:

• The first hand experience with service work is excellent!  There are few programs that allow for that level of integration, and it is so invaluable, (…).

• It is a great experience and you’ll learn more by doing hands on stuff than by sitting in a classroom.  It was also a lot of fun. 

The texts and other class assignments matched the service sites in the city of Ingolstadt.  This way, they deepened the students’ experiences while at the same time, the experiences also clarified the readings.   Thus, the students did not only learn information and facts, but could work on attitudes and habits.  Because the students did not only take classes, but also played active roles in the community, they could not be tourists or outsiders, but became short-term members of their study-abroad site.  Many of the students therefore describe not only a language gain, but also feel that they have grown as people: 

• This to me was the greatest learning experience only because we dealt with real people in real situations.  For me these are always the best learning experiences. It forced all of us to take what we all had learned to a higher level.  I think having gained confidence from the service learning and the host family really helped me to be more assertive in class.  I have more confidence in what I am doing, and that is great for me. 
• My service project was a wonderful opportunity.  I loved learning about schools here in Germany.  It was cool to compare the American and German schools.  The project made me feel at home, being able to work with kids again.  But mostly through this project, I learned that there is an incredible way to communicate and reach people without the use of language.  Sure I would talk to the kids, but not nearly as much as I do in America.  But now I was able to really get to know them on a different level, to know what they wanted even if I could not always understand them (whether because I could not understand their German or they could not talk.  It was a wonderful experience. 

If you want to read more information about service learning, here is an interesting site to start: http://www.servicelearning.org/welcome_to_service-learning/service-learning_is/index.php. 

For information on service learning at SCSU you will find more information here: http://www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer/servicelearning/default.asp. 

Service sites
This list of websites will let you link to the students’ service sites.  All of the sites are people-centered, thus allowing you to work on communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Homeless people:  Obdachlosen Ambulanz
  http://www.franziskaner.de/Strassenambulanz.148.0.html
• Senior care center: Altstadtzentrum Sebastianstrasse
  http://www.klinikum-ingolstadt.de/www/downloads/az_betreutes_wohnen.pdf
• Handicapped young adults:  Hollerhaus
  http://www.hollerhaus-in.de/
• Handicapped children: Haus Miteinander
  http://www.haus-miteinander.de

For an overview please also check on the article published by the Freiwilligen Agentur in Ingolstadt about the program at http://www.webdiamonds.de/freiwilligenagentur/Layout_0207.pdf.

Host families
The following is commentary from students who have lived with host families in the past.

• The host families were very supportive.  Besides practical things like cleaning and cooking, they took the students on trips and most importantly, spoke German with them.   From the opinions of two students you can see how they complement the students’ experience: 
• I think living with a host family has been a great experience.  I am able to see the day-to-day dynamics of German life and I think I understand the culture better because of it.  I have also grown up on this trip a little.  You do that when you have to trust yourself that you know what you are doing. 
• Most important to me was living with a host family.  Having to speak and listen to the language all the time.  I liked being able to see the family dynamics.  But it was extremely productive for me to sit with my host mom and just talk and listen in German. 

Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in Bavaria, best known because of Audi, which has its seat in the city.  Because of its long and rich history, Ingolstadt offers many interesting opportunities.  We went to hear the Georgische Kammerorchester twice, but also visited the Audi Museum and the factory.  Our longest excursion took us to Munich and Dachau.  For more information, please see http://www2.ingolstadt.de/. 

Next year
If you are thinking of applying, here is what this year’s participants liked about the program:

• I think it was a wonderful experience and opportunity.  I think a month is a nice length.  I think it is a wonderful opportunity to be able to work in another country and experience another side of the culture. 
• You could never achieve this awesome learning experience in the states. In Ingolstadt, you could learn about the culture and be integrated into the society. People would ask us questions. How more integrated could you get? I am amazed at how well it went and how much I learned!
• It’s a long/short enough trip for those concerned about studying abroad, it’s incredibly beneficial to us as students and intercultural world citizens.  It’s a beautiful country with realistic work, and fun for 6 credits. 

Application
Here is where and how you can apply:  Go to the web page at http://www.stcloudstate.edu/studyabroad/application.asp to print an application, and then turn it in to the Peer Advisor room in Lawrence Hall room 101.  If you have any questions send an e-mail to studyabroad@stcloudstate.edu or stop by the Peer Advisor Room for personal information and help.