Help People Living on the Margins
Service learning trips are your opportunity to help foster positive social change. From rebuilding homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina to learning about the geopolitical dynamics at the U.S.-Mexico border, these experiences will introduce you to ongoing humanitarian efforts in the United States and abroad.
Service learning trips broaden your overall education at Elms by inviting you to connect your passion for service, community development, and ethical reflection. Students who participate in service learning benefit from:
- Learning about the conditions of daily life in different regions, especially those in need of renewal
- Interacting with people from varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Reflecting on ways they can become more socially responsible citizens
Quick Info
- Service learning trips run for one week and take place over Spring Break in March
- Trips are open to all majors
- Students, faculty, and staff also set aside time to explore the city or country they visit.
- Nursing students interested in a medically-focused service learning have the option to visit Jamaica in January every year. This trip focuses on providing health assessments, blood pressure checks, and other services to residents.
- For students interested in exploring the mission of Elms College and the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Office of Campus Ministry sponsors mission trips to different areas in the U.S. and abroad. These trips focus on the SSJ principle of uniting “neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God, without distinction.”
Spark Your Passion for Service
Service learning trips happen within the U.S. and around the globe. Destinations are often those in dire need of community development, whether that means providing safe housing for residents, combating food scarcity, inspiring school-aged children, or improving public health infrastructure, such as clean drinking water resources. No matter where you end up, you will be part of a team that will focus on making an immediate positive impact for a community in need. Past trips have taken students to a variety of cities and countries:
- New Orleans
- Puerto Rico
- U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, TX
- Nicaragua
- Trenton, NJ
- Jamaica
Socially-Responsible Citizenship
Service learning experiences are especially beneficial for students committed to working for the common good. During each excursion, faculty and staff will highlight ethical aspects of the volunteer work being completed. Students are encouraged to reflect on the values inherent to social responsibility and global citizenship, both in writing and during discussion sessions. Following graduation, service learning trips can lend valuable experience to your resume, and indicate to employers your dedication to socially-responsible community engagement.