Meaningful civic action goes beyond hands-on work, challenging us to think critically and compassionately. For students looking to profoundly expand their impact, student-led service trips provide transformative experiences, bring deeper understanding of social issues and catalyze their futures as civic agents.
Service Trips involve a group of students who immerse in a community outside of Washington University, typically for 3-14 days. Service trips involve learning, dialogue, partnership, and may or may not include direct service addressing a particular social issue. Before and after each trip, students participate in training workshops to prepare themselves for their program and to synthesize their experience with their academic work and aspirations. During their trip, students engage and dialogue with the community in order to understand the local culture, reduce the negative effects of the social issue, and empower the community.
The Gephardt Institute provides training, consultation, and advising for trip leaders and participants. Some are required for Washington University recognition, while others are encouraged to increase participant learning, community engagement, and program impact. To learn more, click on the Resources link.
