Community-based learning (CBL) is a form of experiential education that integrates community engagement with instruction and reflection, deepening and enhancing the learning that takes place both in and outside the classroom. When in Rome students have the opportunity to engage with timely topics such as Migrants and refugees crisis in Rome and the Italian Education system in a comparative perspective, through independent research, interactions with experts in the field and personal experiences as active members of a local organization. At the end of the semester, students participate in a Student-led Community-based learning conference where they present their experience and reflections to their peers.
This course facilitates and promotes meaningful civic engagement with the city of Rome; as such, it has been designated as a Notre Dame Center for Social Concerns Community-based Learning Course.
Migrant Lives Matter: obtaining refugee status and the work of JNRC is one of the projects presented at the end of the Fall 2019 semester. Students here present the crucial work conducted by the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, explain the current refugee situation in Italy and describe their personal experience during the latest months.
Originally published by at rome.nd.edu on December 12, 2019.