Service-Learning VIPs: Otterbein University

Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, has a strong culture of service and offers over 80 service-learning academic courses in a wide variety of areas of study. Here’s what Otterbein students had to say about their service-learning experiences:

Andrea S: "My service-learning experience has opened my eyes up to the diversity and needs of the world and my heart to all of the appreciative and compassionate people in our world. I have learned that when one simply takes the time to extend a helping hand and a hearty smile, that light spreads and makes the world a better place."

Brooke W.: "My service-learning experience has helped me grow as an individual. I have become more confident and comfortable with myself and have learned how to lead a group of people in an effective manner. Witnessing the effect community service has on individual and or group has opened my eyes to what care and compassion really means."

Mandy M.: "Service-learning has shaped me into the person I am today. It has transformed the way I view the world and has guided me into my role in the community. I feel that service-learning is extremely important because it allows people to think of others first and prioritize what's important in life. You cannot truly understand the world you live in unless you see it from every possible perspective."

Lucas H.: "The service-learning opportunities that Otterbein's Center for Community Engagement provides give me hands on and real life experiences to complement the academic material presented in these classes. It creates a totally differently prospective on the discussed learning material and gives me a chance to truly appreciate and understand to full extent of the purpose of these courses."

Danielle F.: "Service-learning has given me the ability to take my knowledge and give it to the youth that I serve so that they can in turn educate their peers and families with it. I channeled my nursing experiences to help the youth help their communities become healthier. I believe that service-learning is important because it is so much more than just community service. It provides people with a chance to learn new skills, learn about themselves and their communities while at the same time serving them and making a difference that is sustainable."