Global Service Learning

Global Mizzou Service Programs are administered through the Study Abroad with MU International Programs. Use the Link below to find a list of Global Mizzou Service Programs:

Program Options

The MU Office of Community Engaged Learning Global Service programs offer students the opportunity to:

  • Engage with local communities abroad in meaningful ways
  • Use what students learn in the classroom to make meaningful contributions to communities abroad
  • Meet genuine needs of host countries

Global Mizzou Service Programs combine academic studies, community engagement, and immersion in another culture to give students deep, meaningful international experiences. Study Abraod courses seeking Global Service Credit should incorporate the following:

Criteria for Global Service Learning Course Designation

  1. Academic component: Course includes readings and content that separate the experience from pure volunteerism or non-service study abroad. This includes pre-departure meetings and activities aligned with course objectives as well as inclusion of academic readings and content.
  2. Community engagement: Course involves mutually beneficial partnerships between the faculty member/students and at least one NGO or civic partner serving the public interest in host country. Direct service and/or service-related programming should comprise the majority of in-country course activities, and students need at least 8 hours of service for each credit hour earned.
  3. Reflection: Course schedule or assignments integrate opportunities (e.g., journals, discussions, presentations) for students to reflect on their service experiences.
  • Encompassing reflection outcomes such as:
    • career readiness (e.g., NACE professional competencies)
    • adaptability to working in different environments
    • positionality to populations served
    • personal growth
    • impact of student service to larger initiatives
    • sustainability and growth of future service work
  1. Integrated Learning Outcomes:Course syllabus will include intentional and measurable learning outcomes.
  • Specifically, instructors will adapt the following for their syllabi:
    • Engaging in purposeful, impactful, and sustainable community engagement
    • Understanding NGO partners and service in cross-cultural contexts
    • Global citizenship, human rights, and service ethics
    • Developing professional and transferrable skills
    • Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different cultural groups and communities
  1. Evaluation: In addition to completing academic assignments tied to learning outcomes, student performance assessment will include instructor’s direct observations of the student’s overall engagement, respectful participation, ethical conduct, and professionalism towards in-country partners and populations served, which should be informed by partner perceptions as well. Instructors teaching global service learning courses are also required to partner with Study Abroad to include GPI pre- and post-tests in their course schedule.

Benefits of Global Mizzou Service:

The primary goal of Global Mizzou Service programs is to cultivate globally-minded citizens, with numerous academic, personal, and professional benefits. These programs are:

  • Academic: You will enroll in actual MU courses with an academic curriculum that includes preparation for entry into the host country, reflection, and self-discovery. You will work with their academic advisers to determine how courses might fulfill degree requirements.
  • Experiential: Your learning comes from hands-on, active participation in the activities of a local community. Programs provide the similar real-world experiences as a traditional internship program.
  • Immersive: You have the opportunity to work side-by-side with local community members, offering the opportunity for structured and informal learning about the host culture and society. Programs encourage opportunities for increased cultural understanding and widened perspectives on societal and global issues.
  • Interdisciplinary: We have global Mizzou service programs for any academic major and minor, allowing you to draw on your academic background as you collaborate to explore complex social problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of the host community.
  • Professional: Global Mizzou service programs allow you to cultivate skills, attitudes, and perspectives that will improve your marketability in your future job search. Adding a global service experience to your resume provides both an international and volunteering/internship experiences, two activities that employers seek in recent graduates.
  • Reflective: During your time abroad, students keep a journal documenting your service and community engagement. In addition, you will attend reflection sessions to discuss the challenges you face and the successes you achieve in their service placement. You will explore “real world” issues while learning more about yourself.