Student Success Centre

Experiential learning refers to hands-on experience you obtain by applying theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. We also call it learning outside the classroom!

Community based research (CBR) is a collaborative enterprise between academic researchers and community that seeks to generate knowledge that addresses real social problems.

Community service learning is a form of experiential education in which students engage in structured activities that are intentionally designed to enhance student learning and civic responsibility, while addressing community needs.

Co-operative education (Co-op) is an integrated approach to higher education that enables students to alternate academic terms with paid, relevant work experience in a chosen field.

Information for Western faculty members who are involved or interested in community service learning.

With fieldwork, teaching is extended to a site outside of the classroom or laboratory, exposing students to a real-world setting where they learn through direct interaction with a content-relevant environment.

Interested in studying,volunteering or working abroad?

An internship is a 12 to 16-month work term where students are employed in settings that provide work experience directly related to their academic program and career objectives.

A practicum is a period of supervised practical application of previously studied theories that includes observation as well as on-the-job training.

Volunteering involves students engaging in unpaid community service at a local, national or international level.