Service Learning Program

Program Overview
Program Curriculum
Program Highlights
Sample Project

Program Overview

EI Institute's accredited Service Learning Program combines community project assignments, language instruction, professional skills training and cultural sharing to teach students the leadership skills necessary to execute service projects that meet community needs in Jiangsu province.

Program Duration	12 weeks
Fall Semester	September 3, 2010
Spring Semester	February 15, 2011
Number of Students per Project	Maximum 8

EI Institute works with non-profit organizations to create innovative, goal-oriented projects that help enhance community development, while at the same time providing marketable experience, and a comprehensive and meaningful internship for participants.

Working in small project teams, participants will engage in a range of community service projects that assists underprivileged citizens of Jiangsu province. Project coordinators from both the host organization and EI Institute will cooperatively manage the project team to ensure successful completion of project objectives.

Our unique, in-depth Service Learning internship program provides our graduates with a competitive advantage in the international job market for careers in:

	Fundraising
	Non-profit Work
	International Education

Program Curriculum
Orientation & Professional Skill Training	50 hours
Service Learning Project	16-20 hours per week
Language Classes	10 hours per week
Cultural Perspectives	Multimedia Project and Essay

Program Curriculum

Orientation and Professional Training

To ensure a smooth transition EI Institute will provide extensive orientation and professional training that includes:

	Professional skills training related to internship assignments
	Survival Chinese
	Project management training
	Thought and innovation training
	Team building and cooperative learning exercises
	Speakers and forums
	Discussion groups and sharing activities
	City tours and activities

All EI Institute participants will be enrolled in the following courses and receive the corresponding number of credits from Jackson State University.

Semester Course Load
Courses	Duration / Description	Credits
Service Learning Project	16-20 hours per week	3
Mandarin Chinese (Beginner,   Intermediate or Advanced)	10 hours per week of instruction at   Hohai University	3
Cultural Perspectives	Multimedia project, essay and   cultural sharing presentation   delivered at a Chinese school	6

Language Classes

Effective communication is essential for success in any business. Understanding this, we provide all of our participants with 10 hours of weekly Chinese language instruction.

With over 50 years of experience in teaching Chinese as a second language, Hohai University tailors intensive classes to provide our participants with the basic understanding of the language to help them quickly adapt and progress in China.

Classes are customized specifically for EI Institute students. Our affiliate partner, Jackson State University, will grant academic credit for the language classes.

Cultural Perspectives

Cultural Perspectives is designed to promote cultural understanding between different communities in China and the United States. Through writing and presentation assignments, students will improve their ability to recognize and discuss cultural differences in a constructive way.

Assignments include:

	Reflective writing
	Reading lists and discussions
	Cultural presentations

Program Highlights

To ensure participants get the most out of their internship experience, EI Institute provides the following project-specific services:

	Introduction to their host organization and project assignments
	Weekly project review meetings with Project Manager
	Customized professional training
	Day trip to local charity site

Sample Project

Pfrang Association

Charity Introduction

Founded in November 2000, Pfrang Association raises money to sponsor the 3-year junior and 3-year senior high school education of children from impoverished families—giving them a chance to lead a self-directed, fulfilled life.

All funds raised by Pfrang are used exclusively to pay for the education of children who would otherwise never finish their education. Pfrang's selection criterion ensures that funds reach the underprivileged children in rural Jiangsu province.

Mission of the Internship

Participants work in small project teams to assist with and launch fundraising events in Nanjing, China, that will increase the operating funds and public notoriety of the Pfrang Association.

Project Assignments

	Plan and launch a fundraising event
	Participate in project planning, management, and implementation of an event with the support of a Pfrang Association member
	Provide support services for Pfrang events that occur during the duration of their project