Experiential Learning
From research and service projects to internships and study abroad programs, experiential learning helps students integrate what they are learning in the classroom into real-world experiences. These barrier-free high-impact activities are woven throughout every program in the college to ensure every student experiences at least two of them.
Experience Your Future
Interested in working with diverse organizations or partnering in the creation of an art project? Want to see what you are learning in action in your community? Curious about what it is like in another city, state, or country? Excited to engage in your own research project or perform your own creative work? As a student with a major in CLAS, you are guaranteed at least two of these types of experiences in your program. These experiences are built into your courses, ensuring that you get to participate in high-impact, hands-on learning. These courses, in addition to being fantastic learning opportunities, will help you to develop insight into your abilities and values, and in turn prepare you for life after graduation. Ask our Alumni – it is these experiences you’ll be remembering years from now!
In community-based learning (CBL) courses, you’ll have the chance to work with a community partner as you explore your coursework. This might mean that while you take a research methods course, you also help create a survey for a local organization. Or maybe you’ll explore how to teach mathematical concepts to PK-6 students while working in a local elementary school. Or you’ll apply your knowledge of anthropology to real-world problems in the community.
An amazing way to learn, while creating community and gaining skills, is by “studying away”. This might be a faculty-led trip across the country to meet professionals in your field, a semester abroad where you develop your language skills, a long weekend near Lake Michigan in which you apply your learning to the environment, or a virtual exchange where your class is paired with a class at a university overseas and you talk over Zoom about your discipline in different contexts.
From your first year at GVSU, you’ll have opportunities to become part of student learning communities where you and your peers are in courses connected by a theme. As you dive deep into important questions, these courses help you see the connections between what you are learning, while also helping you create community with your peers and faculty mentors. Have a look at our First-Year Learning Communities to get ideas of the opportunities that exist!
From classes, you’ll gain a ton of knowledge; through an internship, you’ll apply that knowledge and be able to see your skills in action. Depending on your program, your internship might be a teacher apprenticeship in a local classroom or as an intern journalist with a local media outlet. Maybe you’ll complete an internship abroad as you complete your degree in French. Or you could gain experience in a legislative office, lobbying group, or legal office as part of your studies in Political Science.
In classes with mentored research or creative exploration experiences, you will dive deep into the process of discovery in your field of study. Maybe this will be collaborating with other students on a research project to generate novel results on brain regeneration. Or maybe you’ll create a choreography reel that reflects your artistic voice. Or you could create a testable hypothesis on an environmental question, collect and analyze data, and present your results to a community partner. Or you might create and administer a live sports event.
Experimental Learning Resources
Interested in learning more about the different types of experiential learning available at GVSU? Visit our campus partners!
Padnos International Center is home to the GVSU Study Abroad Office, which has fantastic events where you can learn about study abroad and meet others interested in (and recently returned from) studying around the world.
The Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship is focused on helping students connect with faculty to undertake scholarship through scientific research, creative exploration, and deep study. They are also hosts of Student Scholars Day and Student Summer Scholars – both amazing opportunities to get involved!
Thinking about an internship or summer job? Curious what kinds of careers might be available or how to write a strong cover letter? Connect with the GVSU Career Center! They are an amazing resource, regardless of how far along you are in your program!
Student Spotlight
Virtual Exchange Project
This Virtual Exchange Project engages GVSU students with students from othercountries as they collaboratively learn about global communication and job application practices. Zsuzsanna Palmer, Associate Professor of Writing, incorporates virtual exchange projects into WRT 354 Writing in the Global Context, giving Grand Valley students opportunities to collaborate with students from across the globe. Team members assembled from four universities exchanged information about the job application processin their own countries via Zoom.
"The ability to speak with someone living and working in a different culture while still being in the U.S. was a completely different learning experience, like studying abroad from my home office.”
-Sam, Writing Major
Other Elements of the CLAS Voyage:
The Embarking Experience
The Embarking Experience is designed to help you thrive as you navigate a new place to live, new classes, new friends, new opportunities, and new challenges.
Reflective Portfolio
Your reflective portfolio will become a place for you to compile your work, reflect on what you’ve learned, and make connections to your career and life aspirations.
Capstone
Each major has its own Capstone course, which is designed to help you integrate what you’ve learned in your program, identify your skills, and apply your knowledge.