Asia-US Service-Learning Program

Program Overview 

  AUSL participants at an organic farm near Stanford

  The Asia-US Service-Learning Program (AUSL) brings together community-minded students from Asia (Mainland China, Taiwan, and Japan) and from Stanford University for an intensive four-week program that includes hands-on service projects, challenging discussions, lectures from professors and professionals, and daily reflections to explore some of America’s and the world’s most pressing issues.

  The 2009 AUSL program is from August 2 -26 and focuses on the issues of health and disability, and environment and sustainability.

  To learn more about the AUSL program, see the activity calendar   and also the project groups for health and disability , and environment and sustainability .

Pre-Program

 

Participants presenting research

  All AUSL participants are required to attend a weekend retreat in May or June 2009 in their home country. The retreat focuses on group bonding, tone setting, and pre-program orientation.

  Participants will also select a research topic related to their service project theme on which they will write a paper and give a presentation during the program.

Week One and Two: Stanford University

  Visit to University of California, Santa Cruz Organic Farm

  Health and Disabilities Group at Camp Costanoan

  The first two weeks of AUSL are based at the Stanford University campus.  Participants live together in dormitories with Stanford student coordinators and have discussion sessions from 9am to 11am every morning that are conducted in English. 

  Guest lectures given by Stanford University faculty and local non-profit and business leaders are supplemented by facilitated discussion sessions and reading assignments.  Discussion topics include general information on each topic and how the government, NPO's, academic institutions, and corporations serve the issue of focus.

  Students continue to develop English skills and foster an understanding of American culture during the afternoons, evenings and weekends through scheduled field trips, panel and group discussions, volunteer activities and other program events.  Two examples of the forty-plus activities organized in 2008 include:

• Working at University of California, Santa Cruz Organic Farm to harvest fruits and vegetables and learn about programs to encourage organic farming.

• Volunteering at Camp Costanoan with children with mental and physical disabilities.

Week Three: Service Project  

Volunteering at the AIDS Memorial Grove

  The third week of the program is a topic-focused service project in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Participants are divided into project groups of 12 - 15 based on their interests and background experience (project groups include Health and Disabilities, and Environment and Sustainability). 

  Each group is led by Stanford and Asia coordinators who have worked with VIA staff to create a fun, challenging, and educationally-rich itinerary.  VIA arranges visits and volunteer experiences with organizations such as St. Anthony Foundation, AIDS Memorial Grove, and Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Week Four: Final Project and Reflection 

AUSL Participants presenting their final group project

  AUSL participants take a few days to reflect upon and present to the community what they experienced during the AUSL Program.

  Finally, Participants move to Marin Headlands National Park, where they can walk to the beach, go hiking, and spend their last few days reflecting together in a serene and picturesque setting.

Asia Service Trip 

  AUSL program comes full circle when the Stanford student coordinators visit Japan, Taiwan, and mainland China to explore service and culture in Asia.  VIA staff and AUSL participants together create the itinerary for the trip.

A Multi-National Experience

  AUSL selects students from different regions within Japan, Taiwan and mainland China.  Participants and Stanford student coordinators represent a wide variety of interests, ranging from literature, biology, engineering, and law. All come with a common interest in learning about and engaging in service.

Cost

• $4400 program fee includes: Teaching and administration fees, dormitory housing, a complete meal plan during weeks one, two and four, scheduled out-of-class activities, VIA staff services, scheduled field trips and activity transportation costs, and most project week expenses including donations to organizations.

• Program cost does not include: international airfare, medical insurance, textbooks, personal shopping and expenses, optional activities, meals taken outside of the dormitory and during week three.

• Participants must obtain traveler’s medical insurance prior to arrival in the U.S.

• Students from Japan are to purchase their international airfare through Nissin Travel Agency.

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Information Meeting Schedule for 2009