Student perspectives on course-based experiential learning in environmental studies

In many disciplines, well-structured experiential education has had positive academic, cognitive, attitudinal, career, and personal effects on students. At the University of Prince Edward Island, experiential learning is a core aspect of the Environmental Studies program. One way that experiential learning is incorporated into the program is through a third-year required course for Bachelor of Environmental Studies majors, Environmental Studies Internship. Integral to the course is a required 30-h volunteer internship where students engage in "hands on learning" in the environmental field with community partners, such as federal, provincial, and municipal governments; local non-governmental organizations; and the private sector. To understand the personal and professional dimensions of learning in this course, an online questionnaire, including both open- and closed-ended questions, was distributed to former students who had graduated. Results indicated that most students felt that the internship experience not only broadened their knowledge in the environmental field but also increased their critical thinking and professional skills such as communication. It also provided them an opportunity to understand potential employment areas and how various government and other organizations operate. In some cases, it was a stepping stone to a summer job or their current career. Information from this research will be used to improve the course for future students of environmental studies.