Service Learning Opportunities
An integral role of the Blum Center is to serve as a resource for all Cal students that want to engage in service learning programs that are specifically designed to alleviate global suffering. Currently the Center is conducting research on international service learning programs and establishing relationships with potential partners so that it can assist all students, including those in the Global Poverty & Practice Minor, who are looking to make first-hand contributions.
As the signature element of the minor it is imperative that each student participate in a practice opportunity to supports their educational goals. The purpose of the practice requirement is to supplement the formal course work with a transformative experiential learning opportunity. Students are expected to identify their own practice experience based on their own interests and submit a one page proposal as part of the declaration of the minor. When evaluating practice proposals we will be determining whether or not you will have the type of meaningful learning experience that can result in a deepening of your understanding of poverty and its alleviation.
In order to clarify the different ways the practice experience can be met we have created a service learning diagram [PDF].
A preliminary list of resources is provided below to assist students in identifying their own service learning opportunity. For those students in the Global Poverty & Practice Minor, please note that many but not all of the opportunities provided by these resources will meet the practice requirement.
UC Berkeley Based Projects and Opportunities
Service-learning and research experiences focusing on issues of global poverty in the University of California, Berkeley programs, listed below, provide many wonderful opportunities for students seeking hands-on experience.
Big Ideas @ Berkeley
Empowering Cal students to Change the World
Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program
Cal Corps Public Service Center
Summer Sessions – Summer Internships
International Volunteer & Service-Learning Education Programs
The programs outlined below offer a range of both volunteer and service learning opportunities some of which are well suited to the practice requirement. These are established programs that typically have fee structures associated with them.
Amigos de Las Americas
Volunteer in Latin America for 1-2 months.
Amizade – Global Service-Learning & Volunteer Programs
Innovative service-learning programs that focus on academic coursework, meaningful cross-cultural service, and short-term study abroad in communities around the world.
BUNAC Volunteer & Teaching Programmes Overseas
If you are looking for a truly challenging and rewarding overseas experience, taking part in a BUNAC Volunteer Programme offers you a special opportunity to make a real difference to a community project.
Child Family Health International
Child Family Health International (CFHI) builds and strengthens sustainable healthcare services for underserved communities worldwide. CFHI conducts international health, service-learning programs for medical, pre-medical and other health students. Each year, by sending students to work and study with our international partners, we provide health services for families and children around the world. MUST BE 21 YEARS OR OLDER.
Cross Cultural Solutions
CCS has been operating international volunteer programs for 10 years, with over 3,000 volunteers each year. Recognized as an expert in its field by the United Nations and CARE.
FINCA
The mission of FINCA International is to provide financial services to the world's lowest-income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs, build assets and improve their standard of living. FINCA offers academic internships through their “careers” link.
Foundation for Sustainable Development
FSD supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe community development is only sustainable if it empowers the people to effectively use and cultivate their own resources in a conscious manner. Through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and to support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.
Global Service Corps
Provides service-learning opportunities in Thailand and Tanzania. Programs are offered year-round from two weeks to six months.
Global Routes
Teaching-internships for college students in Central
America, Africa, East and South East Asia.
Global Vision International
Join a GVI project and work with organisations which have been specially selected for their commitment to conservation and humanitarian needs. Opportunities exist in over 30 countries from one week to a year.
Global Volunteer Network
Offers volunteer opportunities all over the globe including Africa, Central America, South East Asia and East Asia.
Habitat for Humanity International
HFHI is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world.
India Study Abroad Center
India Study Abroad Center (ISAC) offers a variety of experiential learning programs. The programs are short and medium term in duration and aim to introduce India to international students. Programs are designed with particular student interests in mind allowing the participants to explore and learn about the country with special focus in their area of interest.
InterAction
InterAction, the American Council for International Voluntary Action, has over 160 member organizations many of which offer internship and volunteer opportunities primarily in the US and occasionally abroad.
The International Partnership for Service-Learning & Leadership
Offered in 14 countries, IPSL programs unite academic study for credit and volunteer service, giving students a fully integrated study abroad experience.
International Honors Program
IHP offers a unique set of theme-based, multi-country study abroad programs.
International Service Learning
ISL provides medical and educational teams of volunteers to provide services for the underserved populations of Central America, Mexico and Africa.
Mercy Corps
Unpaid internships for degree-seeking students provide aspiring international development professionals a chance to do real-world research, learn the ins and outs of global relief and development work and gain exposure to a full range of nonprofit management issues. Internships take place in one of Mercy Corps’ US offices.
Operation Crossroads Africa North Americans working at the grassroots level with young Africans. Seven week trips including six weeks of service and one week of travel.
ProWorld
ProWorld’s mission is to promote social and economic development, empower communities, and cultivate educated compassionate global citizens. All of our projects come from communities’ assessments of their own needs and although they often have modest beginnings, they are remarkably successful and thorough. ProWorld offers both field and NGO internships in Mexico, Peru & Belize.
Visions in Action
Visions in Action is committed to achieving social and economic justice in the developing world through grassroots programs and communities of self-reliant volunteers.
Volunteers for Peace
Volunteer workcamps emphasizing environment and construction in developing countries for 2-3 weeks.
World Endeavors
Our volunteer programs are designed to make a difference in local communities and in the lives of our volunteers. Through village-based volunteer programs and volunteer camps, volunteers promote mutual friendship, world peace, and solidarity in addition to enriching their own experience and making a meaningful contribution.
World Learning
With operations in more than 75 countries WL fosters global citizenship through international experiential education and community-driven development programs.
Discover or Develop an Opportunity on Your Own
There are many more opportunities for meaningful learning
than we could possibly ever list so here are some great places to start exploring.
Building Bridges Coalition
Doubling the Number of International Volunteers by 2010
Idealist.org
Action Without Borders
*Note: The philosophies, practices, and views of these organizations are not necessarily, in whole or in part, the official views of the Richard C. Blum Center for Developing Economies or IAS Teaching Program. The information listed here is for reference purposes only.