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Experiential Education

Experiential Education Means Hands-on Opportunities

Experiential Education, or EE, is a hands-on approach to learning in which you participate in practical activities and then reflect on those experiences using the concepts and theories learned from your program. Whether it’s inside the classroom, out in the community or at work, EE helps you deepen your learning and develop important professional and life skills, such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and civic engagement.

Check out York’s interactive EE Guide to learn about experiential education and the great tools that can help you be successful in all your EE activities.

man talking to a group of women

In the Classroom

Revive your typical classroom learning experience by integrating a variety of unique hands-on learning methods, like interacting with guest speakers, participating in workshops or interviewing environmental field experts.

In the Community

Students discussing around a table

Community-Based Learning (CBL)

Revive your typical classroom.

Student surrounded by kids

Community-Based Research (CBR)

Take your classroom out into the community.

A worker installing a solar pannel

Community Service Learning (CSL)

Connect your classroom learning to professional development skills within the workplace, through placements and volunteer initiatives.

worker installing a solar pannel

In the Workplace

Be Career Ready! Earn credits while working for one of our amazing community partners.

We want to ensure our students are career ready. In preparation for graduation, we provide the opportunity for students to develop in-demand professional working skills and competencies with partner organizations through work placements.

Students earn credit by working with community organizations and demonstrating autonomy and professional capacity, while learning to link their concrete experience with course theory.

Job Title Organization Type Deadline
Volunteer Opportunities at Congress 2023 York Univeristy Volunteer March 27, 2023
Sustainability Internship Siemens Canada Limited Full time contract March 30, 2023
Educatly's Student Ambassador Internship educatly Placement/Internship March 31, 2023
Indigenous Assistant Manager RAINscapeTO Full time permanent March 31, 2023
Eco-Landscaping Lead RAINscapeTO Full time contract March 31, 2023
Indigenous Eco - Landscaper RAINscapeTO Full time contract March 31, 2023
GreenForceTO Landscaper RainscapeTO Full time contract March 31, 2023
Tree Nursery Lead Hand County of Wellington Full time permanent April 4, 2023
Visitor Experience Ambassador Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Full time contract April 5, 2023
Brampton Environmental Alliance, Student Lead Brampton Environmental Alliance (BEA) Placement/Internship April 7, 2023
Arborist Assistant Mighty Cedar Tree Care Part time April 9, 2023
Program Assistant, Our Food Future City of Guelph Temporary April 10, 2023

Capstone Projects

Rajbalinder Ghatoura
Meet Rajbalinder. He is working on researching how an equitable dashboard to city impacts on social and environmental changes could be possibly developed. The highlight from his experience is being able to work with students from several other faculties, all those who have the same aim. In the future, Rajbalinder wants to work in a leadership position within the environmental sector, such as the governmental offices.
Amy Homer

Meet Amy. She is working on creating a resource for educators to incorporate indigenous equality into a classroom. Through the Capstone project, Amy has developed the skills of working within a group setting and has been enjoying the team dynamic. In the future, she aims to work in a career where she gets to positively contribute towards the environment.

Tharanya Thillairajan

Meet Tharanya. She is researching how a fitness app might be accessible for people with disabilities. Through this project, Tharanya has been able to come out of her shell, improve her communication skills, and work with individuals who were passionate towards the project. She used the techniques taught in her Qualitative Methods course and applied them towards this project. Tharanya plans to work with nature, and perhaps, consider the role of a conservation biologist in the future.

Benefits of Experiential Education

Experiential education takes a diverse path to develop and strengthen essential skills and qualities related to students’ academic performance, civic engagement and employability. What will you get out of it?

Positive Academic Performance

Enhanced knowledge acquisition that will improve your academic performance

Applying course concepts and theories to practical, real-world scenarios

Stronger oral and written communication, team collaboration, leadership and critical thinking skills

Civic Engagement

Improved attitudes toward social responsibility, respect and tolerance for diversity

The opportunity to be involved in community projects while putting course theory into practice

Employability

Defining possible career interests and career plans

Increased personal marketability when beginning your career search after graduation, with improved job search strategies, interviewing experience, and resume and cover letter writing

Professional networking opportunities within your field of study

Quick Links


CAREER CENTRE

Resources and support around resumés and cover letters, job searching and more.


LEARNING SKILLS SERVICES

Improve your effectiveness and efficiency at studying and completing assignments.


EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION GUIDE

Information about EE, what to expect in your EE courses and resources to help you progress as a learner.


YU EXPERIENCE HUB

Learn more about EE across the University and hear about students' experiences with EE.


STUDENT GUIDE TO ELEARNING

Resources on blended learning, web-enhanced learning and other ways eLearning is incorporated in your courses.


STRUCTURED REFLECTION

Resources related to the Experiential Education Guide.