Class room learning can be very theoretical. The books we read and topics we cover in our courses can be very abstract.

Nevertheless, this form of learning has a lot of advantages. It teaches us concepts that might we might not be acquainted with in our experiential learning. It provides opportunities for deep thoughts and conversations surrounding a certain topic among students with wide range of interests. This process has many disadvantages too. A lot of conversations around a certain topic might not be based on experiences, so students are generally conversing based on limited exposure to the topic. The big gap between theoretical and experiential learning is visible during myriad classroom discussions. Students who have had some form of exposure to say, to foreign aid by working with an international NGO during a summer seem to be much more cognizant about the issue involving work of NGOs than a student who has not had such exposure.

Experiential learning is a great opportunity to engage in a community setting and to apply some of the theoretical topics we learn in classes in the “real world”. Experiential learning is a different form of learning in that it does not entail going to class to hear lectures; it is much personal. It is an great chance to reflect on our past and try to connect dots by being personally invested in the experience. Experiential learning does have downfalls, however. An experiential learning without reflection would not mean anything. If there is no theoretical aspect, or philosophy guiding such experience, chances are less that such experience would add much to the previous knowledge. 

The best form of learning is the combination of both classroom and experiential experiences. Students who have experiences in the “real world” can go back in class room setting and share their knowledge. Comments of “experienced” individuals adds to richness to the theoretical discussion that can be suppositional and unsubstantiated. 

In the last month of LSC internship, St. Paul house members had very intentional reflection moments that have helped make sense of the work that we are doing in various NGOs. Our diverse academic backgrounds and our diverse work experiences have helped us connect dots and make meaning of some of the abstract concepts we learned in class at St. Olaf.