Captions Magazine - Bethel University

Students in BUS/SOC
490 Global Service
Learning see that a
mission learning
component certainly
adds layer and dimension
to their educational
experience.
Learning 3-D Style
When student Sarriah Anita Johnson
of Milan, Tenn., came to Bethel, she
was unsure of her future plans. This
all changed when Johnson signed up
for the service learning course BUS/
SOC 490 Global Service Learning
(GSL), a course that not only offers
in-the-classroom and on-campus
components, but one that offers an
alternative spring break mission opportunity
usually in Central America.
After serving in El Ayudante in Nicaragua,
Johnson realized the call God
had placed on her life to work with
children. This realization resulted in
Sarriah changing her major to sociology
and joining the Bethel University
Community Engagement Scholarship
Program where she serves in their
after-school program for children and
20
youth three afternoons a week. Prior
to her Global Service Learning course
and mission trip, Johnson had no idea
that her future plans would include
working with children in foster care
and with inner city youth.
“To me, this is the most amazing
part of being involved in teaching this
course, “said Robin Salyers, one of
two faculty members who teaches the
course and who travels with the students
to conduct their mission work.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity
for our students, many of
whom have never even boarded a
plane. Not only do they experience a
great amount of intellectual and social
growth as they learn about the people,
culture, customs, social issues, history,
politics and so much more, but
they also experience significant
spiritual growth
as well,” said Stacie Freeman,
who also takes part
in teaching the class and
conducting the mission
work.
Freeman said the idea
for the two-pronged global
service learning course
was first proposed to her
by students at Bethel who desired
an opportunity to live out both the
mission and the core values of Bethel
University through a meaningful Alternative
Spring Break experience.
“They wanted more than what
the typical week on the beach had to
offer,” Freeman said. “They wanted
to spend their spring break in service
to others and when they asked me
to help them organize it I said, of
course!”