Because McPherson College dedicates itself to the concept of
service and service learning, in 1999 the Modern Languages Department
created a specific course entitled Service Learning Opportunity
for the purpose of involving students in community projects during
the January term. Because the course resides within the Spanish
language program, the projects are located in Spanish-speaking areas.
Recent trips include:
Ecuador Jan. 2008
Drs. Entz and Kilgus hosted a January 2008 travel trip to Ecuador.
More info
January 2006
Latino Chicago Seminar Jan 4-25, 2006.
January 2004
Students traveled to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, for
a combined language immersion program and volunteer work. Read "My Month in Guatemala," written by Ocie Kilgus in the spring 2004 issue of the bilingual student newspaper Murales.
January 2003
Students traveled to San José, Costa
Rica, for a language immersion program. Although not service-related,
some students volunteered at a local orphanage in San José.
A typical day included four hours of Spanish language classes
and free hours in the afternoon to explore the city, to spend
time with host families, or to work in the orphanage. On the weekends,
students ventured out to the beaches, the volcanoes, the rain
forest, or stayed in the city. See photo gallery.
- Because of the events of September 11, 2001, the January
trip for 2002 was cancelled. -
January 2001
Students traveled to Immokalee, Florida, to work at the
PACE Center, an alternative school for high-risk adolescent girls.
In addition to the work at the PACE Center, students resided in
a homeless shelter for Hispanic migrant workers and were required
to participate in daily cooking, cleaning, and sorting of donations.
A typical day included breakfast at the shelter, a full workday
at the school, and then back to the shelter for dinner. At the
school, students mentored and tutored the girls in basic courses
such as literature, English, history, math, and biology. During
the evening hours, students helped to prepare the dinner meal,
clean bathrooms, or sort donations. See photo gallery.
January 2000
Students traveled to Culebra, Puerto Rico, to help the
community rebuild houses that were damaged by recent hurricanes.
A typical day included an early breakfast at 7:00; a walk/ride
to the work site where students participated in painting, reconstruction,
or demolition; lunch; and more work until around 3:00. After a
long day in the hot sun, many students decided to go to the beach
to unwind and relax. During the evenings, students were required
to participate in classes where they learned more about the local
culture and where they had an opportunity to process their experiences.
See photo gallery.
