When prompted to reflect anonymously on their service learning project, here is what a few English 100 students chose to say:

I would describe service learning as:

...priceless lifelong learning.

...a great tool in education.

...productive! It teaches you a lot more about the real world than any classroom will.

Students chose service learning as their favorite essay for the following reasons:

...I learned the most. It made me apply what I want to do in the future.

...it really stirred a sense of further commitment and involvement within my community.

...I really enjoyed the service I did and when you write about something you enjoy or are interested in it makes the paper more fun.

...it allowed me to dig deep within my soul to find a true answer to a major obstacle in life. I can face-to-face with a dilemma that really touched my heart and allowed me to find a way to contribute to its solution. Perhaps [I've found a] purpose in life!

...it enabled me to do service for a kindergarten class, which I would not have done on my own so soon in my curriculum.

...I learned so much and was so relieved I volunteered. I felt I was so needed and I was actually excited about writing the essay, which is strange.

...not only is it research, but I got to interact with my research.