Postsecondary education is always evolving to meet growing demands across all industries. Traditional instructional methods are constantly being questioned and adapted, especially to accommodate more innovative approaches. At the forefront of this revolution is experiential education. While often confused with “hands-on” or “immersive” learning, at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) experiential education represents much more. It is an opportunity for students to collaborate with partners from various disciplines and innovatively address real-world challenges, deepen their learning, develop practical skills and seamlessly apply their theoretical knowledge, ultimately providing them with a competitive advantage in today’s job market. .
As a national leader in experiential education, UNB is proud to offer experiential learning opportunities across all faculties across its two campuses in Fredericton and Saint John. Between 2022 and 2023, students completed more than 1 million hours of experiential learning, and since 2018, UNB has distributed more than $10 million in funding to support experiential education with nearly 3,000 community partners in 97 communities.
Here’s a closer look at how UNB actively helps its students learn and grow inside and outside of their classrooms.
What is experiential education like?
UNB generally offers two forms of experiential learning, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and Community Engaged Learning (CEL).
WIL opportunities bridge the gap between academic studies and the workplace by connecting students with employers to apply their skills in real-world settings, such as co-ops, internships, simulations/case-based learning, internships, or clinical placements. A WIL opportunity involved Gabriel Ibarraa Computer Science student, who partnered with Sankara, a startup that sells international food through local vendors, and was tasked with helping them create a consumer-friendly mobile app as part of his term. team work.
CEL, on the other hand, engages students in activities that address community needs, with partners who co-create opportunities for problem-solving, fostering immediate impact, equity, and positive change. A CEL opportunity involved Alexis Grantbusiness administration student, who collaborated with the New Brunswick Community Living Association to enhance its income-generating program, which benefited people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, 58 percent of students participated in experiential learning and UNB offered more than 10,000 opportunities, primarily through local organizations (92 percent) but also internationally.
Are experiential learning opportunities customizable?
Professors often design experiential programs especially for students with more specific interests. This can be done through research studies or capstone projects, including a long-term project with real-world applicability.
Abby CulbersonFor example, he conducted a capstone research project as part of his Environmental Management 4020 capstone course, focusing on strategies to preserve a thriving musky population in the Saint John River.
Why is experiential learning so valuable?
Experiential learning benefits both students and communities by providing them with valuable tactical skills while filling any social gaps. UNB champions community-engaged experiential education, fostering strong partnerships and empowering students to tangibly create positive social change while enhancing their own education and building strong relationships and support networks.
Are there success stories with UNB’s experiential education program?
Mike Harrington Graduated in Software Engineering in 2015, he completed five cooperative work terms during his career, one of which was with Populus Plus, a cloud-based health information system that facilitates collaborative care and patient tracking. Thanks to this experiential opportunity, Harrington still works at Populus as Director of Software Development.
Besides, Jennifer Lord, a 2021 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice, participated in an experiential learning opportunity with the Elizabeth Fry Society. As public relations coordinator, her focus was on addressing social issues affecting women in the criminal justice system. By creating podcasts and educational materials, Jennifer set out to shed light on the struggles these women face and the importance of support and education. This hands-on opportunity provided Jennifer with valuable knowledge about local issues and sustainable development, which aligned perfectly with her dream of working with the Canadian Innocence Project. Her involvement shows how community participatory learning makes a real difference in addressing key challenges and fostering positive change.
Click here to learn more about UNB’s experiential education opportunities.
