Service-learning and Civic Engagement in India

With the increased influx of Indian immigrants and India’s recent economic boom, faculty and administrators have recognized the need to expand curricula, study abroad, civic engagement and service learning programs to increase cross-cultural understanding. At the College of XXX, four undergraduate students and the two authors participated in a five-week service-learning/civic engagement program in Kolkata and Darjeeling, India. Pre- and post-assessments examined students’ changes in knowledge of and attitudes toward: Asian-Americans of Indian descent, Indians, and Indian culture. Findings indicated attitudinal changes toward Asians and Asia. KEYWORDS service-learning; civic engagement; community partnerships