Submitted by Sarah D’Antonio on the 2024 Winter service-learning study abroad program in Barbados…
Participating in an international service-learning program isn’t just about community service. There is this common misconception that the sole purpose of a “mission” or “service” trip is to promote the welfare of others and make a difference in communities outside of our own. Yet, the definition of service goes way beyond compassion and empathy between cultures.
An organization’s commitment, or in our case, a university’s commitment to service-learning programs is intended to rid or reduce a divergence between cultures and communities different from what we know, but there is a duality that exists to accomplish this. The purpose of a service-learning experience needs to not only emphasize the service aspect but also prioritize learning.
During our first week here in Barbados, we were informed of this concept called the “missionary tendency”. The missionary tendency is when people volunteer to participate in service trips only with the intention to do good for others in the host country and fail to recognize the reciprocity in its purpose. It is important to realize that this experience not only includes impacting the community, but also learning something from those we are helping and taking home new perspectives and lessons to share with our own communities at home.
For this particular service-learning experience, we have made it our intention to learn lessons and new cultural perspectives to take home with us. However, this intention can only be achieved by fully immersing ourselves in Bajan culture and making meaningful connections with locals and the students we work with. The learning experience and what we take home with us is really what is going to make a difference and bridge existing divides between cultures. (Submitted on January 11, 2024)