In the Pursuit of Justice: A Case Study on the Role of Service-Learning in Developing Civic Engagement among College Students in Egypt

Abstract

Service-learning is a form of experiential education that connects classroom instruction with community service for the benefits of the partners involved. While the effects of service-learning on college students are well documented in Western settings, considerably less is known about these effects in Eastern contexts. Given the current profound political changes in Egypt and the greater Arab world, this research utilized a case study design to explore the potential of service-learning for developing civic awareness among college students at a university in Northern Egypt. Findings revealed that participation in service-learning allowed students valuable opportunities to connect with others from backgrounds different from their own. Through their work in the community, students gained important civic skills, including thinking critically and addressing public problems, developing perspective-taking positions, and enhancing coping capabilities. The study outcomes suggest a cultural shift in Egypt that validates young adults as a productive segment of population thus affording them structured opportunities for civic engagement through which they could exercise their leadership skills and effect positive change in their communities. The ongoing critical engagement of students in their communities where they grapple with questions about the structural causes of inequalities in society is pivotal for service-learning to be a truly empowering learning experience.