The EREV Institute draws on hands-on experiential and service learning techniques in all of its academic programs. In our "living and learning" space, students have an opportunity to participate in local community development and grow personally.  We aim to cultivate cross-cultural sensitivity and an awareness of the challenges of sustainable development in both our Senegalese and international students. To learn more about our academic programs, please visit our study abroad page.

What is Experiential Education?

Following the educational philosophies of Paulo Freire and John Dewey, experiential education breaks down student-teacher barriers and actively engages students in their education. The educational process involves a cycle of reflection, critical analysis, and action in which the learner actively takes initiative and makes decisions with, not for, the teacher.
 

What is Service Learning?

According to the National Service Learning Clearinghouse, “Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.” The “learners” in service learning typically include both students and community members. Together and separately they work to achieve real objectives for the community and deeper understanding and skills for themselves. Through understanding, students and members of the community are led into more effective action. 

"Taking account of the numerous levels of project implementation that I have learned, I can truly confirm that I have learned more about development, cross-cultural relationships, and myself. But the most important thing is that now I know that I have skills necessary to work with an NGO. What I ignored in me is that I have these skills, and I am sure that I will follow my path to improve and continue in development."

- Senegalese student participant in Sustainable Development semester, Spring 2009