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A message from the AWOL advisor
A message from the AWOL advisor
The Learning Partner (LP) is a unique way for professional staff or faculty to participate in an alternative break experience.
The primary responsibility of an LP is to ensure that the experience challenges students to develop academically, socially, and civically through structured group learning and individual advisement. LPs are “situational facilitators;” their role is to support and enhance students’ experience by collaborating with student leaders and to assist them when needed with certain aspects of the program. An LP is not expected to plan or organize the logistics of the experience, but is positioned to support the student trip leader(s) and to enhance the experience for all participants.
Thank you for supporting the alternative break movement and the Yotes who are stepping up to the challenges or co-curricular service-learning.
What does a Learning Partner bring to the AWOL experience?
Learning Partners (LPs) have the opportunity to invest in student development and be a part of experiential learning. As an LP you are a full member of the team and will serve alongside students. LPs serve as a professional representative of the university, and may share responsibilities with site leaders in handling money, driving vans, and being prepared for emergency response. However, LPs are also highly encouraged to use expertise from their field and personal life experience to increase student learning, personal growth, and leadership development.
Do Learning Partners plan the student trip?
Learning partners are not required to plan trips. Each group has 2 student trip leaders who coordinate the logistics, facilitate team activities and reflections, and serve as the main contact for community partners. LPs can help the trip leaders by serving as a resource and mentor for participants and trip leaders before, during, and after the break.
What can you expect leading up to the trip?
The obligations of LPs before departure are minimal. LPs will meet with their 2 trip leaders to discuss roles and expectations. There is also LP training to happen within the weeks before leaving. Further, there are 5 pre-trip meeting that LPs are invited, but not required, to attend. There will also be various fundraisers for our organization during the year and would love your support!
What can you expect during the trip?
Each trip looks a little different in terms of housing and meals for the week, but it is guaranteed for every trip. Housing may be on or off-site from your community partner(s) depending on what the site-leaders are able to find. Some groups will have beds to sleep on while others may be sleeping on floors, in tentss, using air mattresses, etc. Similarly, meals may be provided by the service site, but other groups will have to go grocery shopping upon arrival and make meals every day.
Learning Partner Benefits
Learning Partners experience personal development through participation in an extended service experience. There is also a professional development component as LPs use their position and expertise to interact with and mentor a small group of students from different years, majors, and interests. Additionally, trip expenses for LPs are covered, including transportation, housing, meals, etc.
Learning Partner Responsibilities
Learning Partner Responsibilities
Act as a resource for agency/site leaders by providing advice and/or support.
Serve as the legal representative of USD for the trip in case of an accident or emergency.
Intervene in case of inappropriate student conduct
Clarify your roles and expectations with student leaders before departing on alternative break.
The only time LPs should step into a leadership position is during the unlikely event of an emergency, or if they have the opportunity to prevent such an emergency from taking place.
Learning Partner Expectations
Learning Partner Expectations
Flexibility and open-mindedness are key, as is honesty.
Being a group participant, fully engaged in the activities of the group (service and otherwise).
Add educational value by contributing life and professional experience during “teachable moments”.
Be a “mature influence” to encourage students to make wise decisions. Although LPs should not act as a parent, babysitter, or chaperone.
Build relationships with student leaders and participants while in a non-traditional role.
Learning Partners are asked to develop a comfortable relationship, defined as having open communication and support, with their assigned site leaders. This should be accomplished by having occasional meetings with the site leaders to establish expectations of each other and to ask questions and discuss details of the trip.
Attend an AWOL Trip Leader pre-departure orientation session. These are especially helpful for first time Learning Partners.
Encourage long-term relationships between the GC and other USD offices.
This is experiential learning for both students and LPs. Be aware that you will live on a college-student schedule and lifestyle for the week– they eat differently, they sleep different hours, their sense of time is different. Examples: sleep in one big room, sharing one bathroom, sleeping outside, close quarters, may not have personal time/space.
Attend most if not all pre-trip meetings to meet the group and build group rapport. Meeting times are scheduled based on the availability of the group’s members; however, to accommodate all schedules it is often necessary for AWOL groups to meet after normal business hours.
Participate in the week-long service trip that you are assigned to. Attend and participate in the entire experience. Learning Partners should pitch right in and do the same work as the students.
The Site Leaders will be facilitating reflections each evening/afternoon. The Learning Partner is asked to attend/participate in all reflections and help students further process their experience where needed to enhance learning.
Group stays together the entire trip (exception: work sites). The group eats together as group, makes lunches/dinners together as a group, sight sees as a group, etc. Learning Partner is expected to help facilitate the process if needed.
Suggested to participate in reorientation upon return for evaluation process and facilitate group discussions.
Additional Learning Partner Expectations for International Destinations
Additional Learning Partner Expectations for International Destinations
Have considerable international travel experience and feel comfortable and confident in helping mentor a group of students into a cross-cultural experience.
Act as an equal member of the leadership team. Learning Partners will work with the leaders on issues such as group dynamics, maintaining a drug and alcohol free trip and leading meaningful reflections.
Helpful if the LP is proficient in the primary language that will be spoken in the country being visited
The ideal learning partner would be a teaching or administrative USD faculty level employee with a long-term relationship with USD and considerable experience or interest in the ‘issue’ being addressed by their particular trip.
During the course of the trip, LP should work closely with the site leaders around issues of immigration, travel arrangements and documentation, and risk management. Typically, the LP’s involvement in this role is to offer guidance and support. However, certain situations may warrant the LP taking on certain responsibilities. We encourage LPs and site leaders to discuss responsibilities and agree on who will fill which functions. For example, some government agencies, such as immigration, may insist on speaking to the LP.
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