The 2016 Summer Olympics will take place in Rio de Janeiro this August. Just months away, athletes all over the world have spent years building up to this moment. And let’s be honest, while many have participated in hours of instruction to learn their sport, more than anything they’ve learned through action –through “hands on” practice.

The way an athlete practices his or her sport is similar to experiential learning, or “learning by doing.” 

Experiential learning is more than just “getting involved.”  This type of learning tends to stay with you- impacting and influencing you beyond simply having the experience.

With experiential learning, you’re given the opportunity to reflect on what you learned and how you’ll use that knowledge in the future.

Oftentimes, it’s taking knowledge that you learn inside the classroom and applying it to real world situations. 

For example, if you’re an English major who intends to pursue a career in Journalism, experiential learning could come in the form of writing for The Retriever Weekly, the student-run newspaper on campus.

Or, as a Mechanical Engineering student, experiential learning could be completing a competitive summer internship with General Electric (GE).

Now, you may be thinking, “this sounds great, but I have some concerns…”

● I don’t have enough time to commit- I’m already juggling a lot on my plate

● I don’t have a lot of extra money

● I really just need to focus on my academics right now

Our response? Not a problem!

Experiential learning opportunities vary in time, cost (some are actually free!), and could possibly be a component of one of your courses.

Students receive academic credit for some but not all types of experiential learning; there are many additional long-lasting benefits to participating:

✓ Breaks up the monotony of your routine (i.e. res hall/home, class, dining hall, back to res hall/home. Repeat).

✓ Helps you gain skills and experience in line with your academic interests

✓ Helps you make real-world connections who can become mentors or potentially future hiring managers

✓ Shows you how your perspectives and values differ from others

✓ Adds to your collective knowledge of the world

✓ Helps you demonstrate reliability and independence

✓ Helps to enhance your resume when you apply for your first job

We also understand that it might seem counter-intuitive to get involved in experiential learning when you don’t yet know what to major in or what you plan to do after UMBC. However, rest assured that these opportunities can help you make important decisions about your major or future career path. They ultimately help you learn a lot about your identity, what you’re passionate about, and what you value.

Check out the following at UMBC:

This course focuses on strategies for initiating/bringing about social change. As part of the course, students develop a project aimed at creating change on campus or in the community.

The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) will take place on April 27th, 2016!

Study Abroad 101 Sessions:

Mondays: 12:00-1:00pm

Thursdays: 3:00-4:00pm

All sessions are in 218 Administration Building. 

**You must attend this session prior to meeting with a Study Abroad Advisor**

The Shriver Center can connect you with opportunities for service learning and civic engagement

Career Crush 2016 is almost here! There will be several opportunities to connect with prospective employers who are hiring students for internships and co-ops.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, go for the gold, and start experiencing!