Sustainable values of Service-learning projects at PennSchool

With the goal of contributing future generations to become useful global citizens for the community, the curriculum at PennSchool is student-centered, providing an active and independent learning environment to provide a solid foundation with an international standard education and a modern educational philosophy.

One of the activities built and encouraged in the PennSchool is Service-learning projects, also known as community activities. Besides, these activities also help students learn about their responsibilities as a citizen to the social community.

These service-learning projects create many benefits for students at all grades.

Developing leadership, communication and teamwork skills

Participating in service-learning projects helps students develop important skills that support their future study in university and workforce. Teamwork and communication skills are developed when students in the group collaborate and discuss their ideas. And a student can practice to become a future leader when he/ she has an opportunity to manage a project. Regardless of age, students will build  their essential skills.

Best ways to explore future careers

Depending on the goals of the project, students can be provided basic career experiences. For example, students involved in fundraising activities for poverty people, will five them experience in planning a fundraiser, defining the goals, and establishing essential activities to raise funds… All experiences give students to understand the process and how it works to achieve project goals.

Understanding social issues more clearly

Students have the chance to know about social issues such as poverty, lack of healthy food, homeless people… through the learning process or the media. In reality, however, there are many differences. Through service-learning projects, students can get experience and observe the real impact of these social problems to people. This helps students identify specific challenges, then come up with solutions, as well as form a sense of gratitude and expectation to contribute more to the community.

At PennSchool, we believe that educating for excellence requires cultivating a global understanding and sense of social responsibility in students of all ages. Students are challenged to grow as leaders and global citizens by approaching service with a complex view of what it means to give back and make a positive change in the world, and explore service within the classroom, by planning and executing service projects at school, around Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas. Each student will complete 30 hours of Learning Services throughout the school year and it is reported on the school transcript.

In addition to our school-wide service projects like our project to build a school and road infrastructures at Yen Bai province, or provide support for the children in the HCMC Cancer hospital, there are dozens of ways for students to join in on existing service-learning projects, or to create their own. Students at all levels are empowered to learn valuable skills, practice compassion and reflection, and work together to make positive change; from student-led clubs for all ages to learning and social initiatives at school to the protection of the environment, to impact projects through Model United Nations, and volunteer learning by providing support activities to our younger students.