Collegiate Times

My head throbbed after colliding with my teammate. My knees were bleeding, and I found myself sitting in manure — but all I could do was laugh.

I was having the time of my life during the summer of 2008 on a cow-pasture soccer field in El Porvenir, Honduras, playing soccer with my new Honduran friends.

I went to El Porvenir to practice speaking Spanish and volunteer in 2008, but upon my return to campus, my volunteer experience turned into something bigger than just a one-time trip. I ended up creating a student-run, credit-bearing, university-funded experiential learning class that is working in partnership with community groups in El Porvenir to build capacity in Honduran social programs.

The class has given numerous Virginia Tech students the opportunity to learn about international development related to their field of study and reinforce this learning through on-the-ground work with El Porvenir community partners.

You might be wondering how I was able to create a university academic program from a cool summer experience. Or perhaps you are pondering how I was able to make a student idea grow enough to deserve university support.

Both answers stem from the four aspects of my project that were able to bind Tech’s motto of “Ut Prosim” with Tech’s tagline of “Invent the Future.” This union was made possible by my personal drive and determination, helpful and supportive faculty mentors, an institutional setting to connect service to academic work and the availability of seed funding to get started.

You might be reading this and saying to yourself, “Hey! I’ve got the ‘dedicated and driven’ thing down! I know of an issue or have an idea that could possibly turn into a phenomenal research or service project that would give back to my community, university or world. How do I go about getting faculty support and mentors, finding a university-sponsored way to connect service and academic work and finding funding to actually get my idea rolling?“

Well, I’ve got answers for you.

First, if you are looking for some funding opportunities, you should check out the Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships website (vtserves.vt.edu). We are in the process of putting information up about our social entrepreneurship grant application, due Oct. 30 and also about other funding opportunities.

However, the most exciting and comprehensive answer I have for you is a new program that the CSECP is looking to pilot next semester.

This program, which I call the “The ‘Ut Prosim’ International Scholars Program,” will be a curricular program for driven and dedicated students. During this spring semester, students will learn about social justice and international development related to their field of study. They will also plan an international research or experiential learning program.

In the summer, students will pursue their program at an exciting international location they choose. When students return to campus in the fall, they will reflect on their experience and bring it back to the Tech community through conference presentations and publications, the creation of new student groups on campus, awareness events, etc.

This three-course sequence will give students the academic, institutional and financial support to make their innovative, service-related ideas become university-supported, academic, tangible projects. Also, it will give communities and non-profits abroad a way to benefit from a connection with Tech.

Additionally, it will be a way for students to bring international learning experiences back to the Tech community. Finally, the Ut Prosim International Scholars program will be an attempt to bridge the gap between service and innovative undergraduate research.

Would you like to become involved in this program or other CSECP initiatives? Feel free to e-mail me at emilybar@vt.edu or check the CSECP website for information about other innovative programs we facilitate.

A version of this article appeared in the Sep 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.