Gregorová, Alžbeta Brozmanová , Culcasi, Irene , Olías, Milagros Ávila , Valero, Aitor Arbaiza
No
Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement
Article
Científica
01/01/2025
2-s2.0-105011331476
Service-learning (SL) is pivotal for institutionalizing university–community engagement and achieving teaching and learning goals by addressing identified needs (Compare et al., 2023). This goal aligns with the European Commission’s (2017) Agenda for Higher Education, prioritizing community engagement. SL in international collaboration offers advantages: fostering intercultural growth, providing a “glocal” perspective, facilitating knowledge exchange, and promoting innovative SL pathways. This synergy addresses global challenges comprehensively (International Commission on the Futures of Education, 2021). This article introduces the European interuniversity volunteering and service-learning program FLY, coordinated by eight universities. FLY encourages students to experience global realities during summer breaks, fostering critical thinking about power dynamics and inequality. The program emphasizes reciprocity, diversity, and social justice. Our study, examining early impacts on students and community partners, promotes equality and reciprocity between universities, community partners, and students. It analyzes the benefits for participants and community partners in the FLY Program. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Global Engagement; Higher Education; Intercultural Growth; Interuniversity Cooperation; Service-learning