TWO senior students from Silliman University recently participated in the Japan Service-Learning Program hosted by the International Christian University Service-Learning Center, engaging in community-based activities across Japan with peers from India and Indonesia.

The intercultural program brought together students from Lady Doak College, Petra Christian University, and Silliman University to work with local community partners while fostering collaborative learning and cross-cultural reflection.

Thomas Dave Rixan Garganian, a fourth-year BS Psychology student, said the experience reinforced the idea that education extends beyond the classroom through meaningful service and community engagement.

Fourth-year BS Social Work student Jam Francine Gramatica described the program as transformative, noting that stepping outside her comfort zone led to deeper reflection on empathy, intentionality, and the true meaning of service.

Through hands-on activities, participants applied academic concepts to real-life contexts, highlighting experiential learning that emphasizes social responsibility and civic engagement.

The program reflects the long-standing partnership between Silliman University and International Christian University, facilitated by SU’s Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning, in advancing global service-learning initiatives.