Experiential Learning in Practice

Experiential learning bridges the gap between theory and practice 

Experiential learning (EL) provides students with opportunities to participate in concrete activities related to their studies, either on-campus, within the community, or in the workplace. Combining lived experiences with reflection and analysis results in optimal outcomes for students.

The benefits of EL are multifaceted:

• Experiential learning activities allow students to contextualize what they learn in class and internalize knowledge in a way that is more profound than a traditional lecture-based course.
• Experiential learning increases students’ motivation to learn, boosts their self-esteem, strengthens their capacities for leadership, and heightens their engagement in school and at work.
• Experiential learning enhances students’ professional and transferable skills (such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, autonomous learning) while helping them build their resumes and their networks and advance their career aspirations.

Overall, students develop an increased sense of preparedness for life and work through EL.

Concordia University is on a mission to broaden access to high-impact forms of experiential learning, with the ultimate goal of seeing every student graduate with at least one EL experience.