Service Learning

What is the difference between service learning and volunteering?

Service learning is a blend of studying and volunteering at the same time where one compliments the others. It is designed to help you contribute to the community and involves a classroom learning component to learn more about an area of academic study, for which you receive credit. Due to the nature of service learning, participants are often considered skilled volunteers (i.e. a nursing student in a medical setting could assist in a way other volunteers cannot).

Volunteering is a philanthropic act where you offer to do something that is and is designed for the benefit of the recipients and community. Volunteerism does not involve a connection to a specific course. Education is often a side benefit of the experience, not a focus. Anyone can take part, and no specific skill set is required as such. 

Why choose service learning/volunteering?

• You make a valuable contribution to help the world!
• You gain hands-on experience
• A quality experience can provide you with the same skills and knowledge as an internship
• This will also make you more attractive to future employees
• It’s typically less expensive than study abroad programs
• It often introduce you more fully to a foreign language

Will I get credit?

• You receive VT credit if going on VT Faculty-Led programs that incorporate a service-learning focus. VT Engage programs are co-curricular, so no credits are received. 
• Whether you get credit for other programs depends on each college and their guidelines. Your first point of contact is your academic advisor Dean’s Office.

Virginia Tech Programs

Non-VT Programs

Do I need to notify the Global Education Office?

All students going abroad on for credit-programs must register with the Global Education Office.

If you are participating in a service learning program with VT Engage, your registration and support will be managed by VT Engage. 

If you are going on a non-credit program, you will register your travel in your My Study Abroad account, to ensure they are included in communications in the event of an international emergency while abroad and to allow for faster support from Virginia Tech in the event of a personal emergency. The following will be listed as requirements in your registration:

• Global Travel Assessment: complete and submit by e-mail to vtglobalsafety@vt.edu
• CISI insurance: Regardless of the insurance provided by the third-party provider, university-supported international travelers are required to enroll in Virginia Tech's international emergency medical insurance with CISI, even if it means having dual coverage. Experience has proven that in the case of an emergency, the participants are thankful for this additional coverage. 

If you are participating in a third party program and seek to opt out of the coverage offered through Virginia Tech, email vtglobalsafety@vt.edu to request a CISI Waiver Request form.

Note: If you do not complete the waiver form, your student account will be billed for the coverage. 

Submit completed form to the Global Education Office:

Global Education Office (room 131)

526 Prices Fork Road

Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Ph: 540-231-5888

Email: vtabroad@vt.edu