King's looks to possible return of experiential learning opportunities
July 21, 2021
King’s is gearing up for the return of international experiential learning in 2022, dependent on public health regulations.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, King’s had a long history of providing opportunities for our students to engage in experiential learning (both internationally and domestically), allowing them to develop their skills and gain valuable life experiences. Experiential learning also provides a valuable perspective to students’ studies.
“Experiential Learning (EL) deepens the learning experience and is invaluable in the development of career-related competencies and skills. EL connects learners with practical experiences, encourages self-reflection, and promotes community collaboration. These experiences might be curricular (i.e. built into a course), co-curricular (i.e. connected to activities around campus), community-based, or even international through exchanges and other travel-related learning opportunities,” says Jenny Richmond-Bravo, King’s Promise Developer and Experiential Learning Coordinator.
With the onset of the pandemic, King’s made the difficult decision to cancel all international experiential learning trips on March 9, 2020. However, while much may change between now and 2022, there are several such learning opportunities currently in planning stages, including:
Religious Studies 2352G - Rome and the Christian Tradition
From ancient city of emperors to centre of the Roman Catholic Church today, Rome presents a living history like no other city. The course is an exploration of the intersections of religious practice and belief, art and architecture, politics, and culture through a nine-day tour of Rome and Assisi, Italy (Reading Week, February 2022).
For more information, watch the YouTube video.
Update: Regretfully, the Religious Studies 2352G - Rome and the Christian Tradition course has been cancelled for 2021 but King's is planning to offer the course again in 2022-2023.
SJPS 3210G – Transnational Activism and Global Justice
This eight-day experiential learning course travels to the Dominican Republic (May 2-10, 2022) and focuses on various social justice issues including the democratic organization of campesino communities; and the impact of transnational, open-pit mining on communities, the struggle for citizenship and identity among Haitian migrant workers and tourism.
SJPS 3211G – King’s at Rondine
A month long (May 1-31, 2022), residency program in Arezzo, Italy at Rondine, Cittadella della pace, an international centre for conflict resolution and peace-building. Rondine is a Nobel-nominated centre that brings youth from conflict-torn regions around the world. King’s students will engage with the World House students and participate in a number of workshops, simulations and symposia.
History 3797F/ 4797F - The World Wars In History, Memory, and Reconciliation
This course will introduce students to the complex ways that the history of the World Wars has been presented in commemorative architecture and military cemeteries, in the preservation of former battlefields, in battlefield tourism, and in museums. The course includes a 20-hour classroom seminar at King’s and other sites in London, and will be complemented by a 12 day overseas program in Belgium and France from May 1-13, 2022.For more information, visit the course website.
To learn more about how King’s supports Student Outbound Mobility, watch this video.