Life at U.S. colleges and universities is assumed to be more than studying in class. Students are expected to engage in all kinds of activities in student life such as joining clubs, participating in exercise or sports, holding leadership positions on campus, or participating in study abroad.

Some of those activities include "experiential learning"; this is more than practical training in the field of study but activities that benefit others. These activities are offered through student clubs, residence halls, student activity offices, and many other offices on college campuses.

Learning Is Everywhere

Experiential learning takes place in the local community, in other parts of the United States, and in other parts of the world. You may find opportunities on your campus such as being a docent in the campus museum where you can lead tour groups and provide information about art pieces in the museum.

During spring break or summer vacation, groups of students may travel to parts of the United States to help rebuild communities devastated by natural disasters such as what happened to Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Students travel to help rebuild schools and houses. Other groups are organized to travel to parts of the United States that are disadvantaged—some in inner cities and some in remote communities. You may find projects in inner cities such as Baltimore or Washington, DC, or in Native American communities in the West. Some projects may have more exotic destinations such as orphanages in Tanzania or Guatemala.

How Do You Find Out about These Opportunities

Ask the international student office or the student activities office on your campus. Go to the student center on your campus. Look at the bulletin boards. Before signing up to go on a program off your campus, make sure you ask people on your campus such as the student activities office or the international student office about the reputation of the program sponsors.

Rewards of Volunteerism

Whatever the project, volunteerism is highly valued in the United States for purely altruistic reasons. Participation is rewarding on many levels beyond feeling good about helping others. Students may find that they make long-lasting friendships and gain invaluable experience. Sometimes the networking may have the added benefit of making connections for future job searches.

Moreover, active participation in student life impresses college admissions offices and potential employers. Experiential learning indicates that the participant is a more rounded individual. Those international students who find making American friends in the classroom will find that in non-competitive environments outside the classroom that friendships develop more easily when working towards a common goal. An added benefit is that language skills will improve because of the necessity to communicate with others. Overall, seeking opportunities to participate in these types of programs is a win-win for all involved—the recipients of services and the student who is volunteering.

Masume Assaf is associate director of International Student Services at The Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors and has served as the CAFSS chair (currently called the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services) and as chair of the NAFSA Region VIII.