Focus On…. Learning Theory Through Community Service

Students enrolled in my Intercultural Communication courses do more than just learn intercultural theory; they also experience it firsthand. As part of the course design, they are required to select an experiential component that directly involves them in urban Cincinnati culture. This component is co-facilitated by Steve Andry, director of the Institute for Urban Service at City Ministries.

It gives students the opportunity to work and interact with men and women enrolled in transitional rehabilitation programs called “Exodus” and “Having the Courage to Change.” The experiential components of the course are designed to breathe life into theory and to create greater awareness of the problems surrounding impoverished and marginalized members of the Cincinnati community.

Most people fear those who appear different from them, mostly because they lack substantive personal interaction beyond their own communities. My goal in this course is to put legs on intercultural communication theory by creating safe and structured opportunities for students and people from marginalized communities to interact and get to know one another. The real difference between misunderstanding and understanding people from different cultures is found in relationships. Relationships are central and crucial to building understanding and advocacy. There is no short cut to cultural competence; you learn most about people and a community by spending time in it.

Feedback about the course has been very positive. One student stated, “There’s no better way to learn and understand theory than to experience it yourself.” Another commented, “I’ll never see the homeless the same way again; this experience has put names and faces on the problems.”

For me, the best course outcome is watching relationships develop and grow between students and the men and women in the community programs. It is rewarding to see the students stay connected and work as advocates for people in these transitional programs. They go way beyond the expectations of the classroom and actually spend time volunteering to serve.