Program Overview

Introduction to the Schiller Institute Program

The Schiller Institute aims to integrate and apply scientific and social knowledge for the common good. A new course, Working for and with Communities: Community Engaged and Project Based Learning for the Common Good, has been introduced, which asks students to work in concert with citizens of the city Siem Reap, Cambodia, and the surrounding countryside to make progress toward that end.

Program Description

The course consists of a two-credit spring seminar and a one-credit summer immersion program. During the spring, students learn about both the challenges facing the community surrounding Siem Reap and the culture and history of Cambodia. Some of the modules include how to conduct community-engaged work and the steps of building a partnership with people who live in different countries and cultures.

Key Components of the Program

• The program focuses on community-identified projects, where students develop solutions to local eco-related problems.
• A Design Thinking module is used to frame solutions, emphasizing empathy and user-centered approaches.
• Students participate in a three-week visit to the JRS Cambodia reflection center in Siem Reap, where they meet with local teams, develop solutions, and reflect on their experiences.
• The program includes an assessment of intercultural literacy through the Intercultural Development Inventory, helping students understand their abilities to interact with and understand other cultures.

Program Goals and Outcomes

The program aims to provide students with a real global impact, allowing them to see and feel for themselves what it's like to live in another person's shoes and find inspiration from others' lived experiences. By participating in the program, students can:

• Develop community-identified projects and learn how to build partnerships with people of different cultures.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the community surrounding Siem Reap and the culture and history of Cambodia.
• Enhance their intercultural literacy and ability to interact with and understand other cultures.

Future Plans for the Program

The Schiller Institute plans to continue offering the Engaged Course year after year, with new locations around the world added as partnerships are made. The team will ensure that future students can build on the projects started in Siem Reap, fostering long-term relationships and continuous growth.