THE Silliman University hosted 32 foreign students from the International Christian University in Japan and George Mason University in the United States.

SU’s partnership with ICU and GMU for its service-learning program began in 2008.

ICU and MSU each sent 16 students to participate in the program held from June 26 to July 25 and August 9 to 15, 2023, respectively.

“Students from ICU rendered their service to long-time partner agencies and communities of the university such as the City Social Welfare and Development Office’s La Casa Esperanza and Dumaguete City Youth Home; Little Children of the Philippines Foundation Inc.; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village in Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin,” SU said in a statement.

“GMU students participated in service-learning activities with the Little Children of the Philippines Foundation, Inc.; Dumaguete City Youth Home; Gawad Kalinga Jamalipayon Village, Jawa, Valencia; and Barangay Boloc-Boloc, Dauin,” it added.

Service-learning is a teaching pedagogy that facilitates community immersion, cultural understanding, and a broadening of one’s perspective on local issues.

Participants stay with host families, participate in a community’s day-to-day activities and assist in livelihood projects.