サービス・ラーニングにおける留学生の学びと変化 : 地域のこども食堂でのサービス活動を通して

Service learning (SL) is a form of experiential learning where students apply the knowledge they have acquired, and gain new perspectives on their academic endeavors and career paths. This paper reports on volunteering activities at a children’s cafeteria by international students in a Japanese Studies course, which was based on the concept of SL. I present what they learned and observed in the activities by analyzing their questionnaires, journals, and final report. The international students engaged in activities three times after pre- and mid- studies. Prior to their first activity, they learned about the background of the children’s cafeteria, its role in the community, and ways to create a place for children and local people. In the mid-study, they reflected on the first activity, set goals for subsequent activities, and learned about human relationships. They showed interest in the kind of place a children’s cafeteria is and the type of people visiting it, since they had not heard about the existence of a children’s cafeteria earlier. They were also driven by the influence of the pre- and mid-studies. Through these activities, they realized the preconceptions they held about the cafeteria, changed them, and deepened their understanding of it. Some students perceived the importance of connecting with local people and society, and the satisfaction of being useful to others.