Giving Students the Experience of a Lifetime

Rutgers–Camden's experiential learning programs provide valuable opportunities for students to go beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge.

Michael D’Italia believes an education that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction should be available to everyone, not just a select few.

“Providing every student with a wide variety of learning opportunities is a part of our identity as a university,” said D’Italia, director of experiential learning and the Chancellor’s Experiential Learning Fund at Rutgers University–Camden. “Leveraging the knowledge gained in the classroom to benefit the larger community or in service to the greater good demonstrates the highest and fullest purpose of learning.”

Rutgers–Camden supports a wide variety of experiential programs, including internships, civic learning opportunities, research projects, and travel abroad. The university also offers students, regardless of major, the chance to earn a certificate in civic engagement and social change as part of their coursework. To earn the certificate, students must complete a series of five courses, a capstone presentation, and 100 hours of direct community involvement in Camden.

Time and money are often the most significant barriers to taking advantage of these valuable learning experiences, especially for first-generation college students. Recent data reveals that nationally, only 8% of first-generation students travel abroad, and only 35% of first-generation seniors have participated in an internship.

Rutgers–Camden seeks to overcome these barriers through counseling and support, including financial help through the Chancellor’s Experiential Learning Fund. The fund provides students with up to $3,000 to use towards their participation in an experiential learning activity. Funds can be used for travel, to cover costs while completing an unpaid internship, or to support independent research.

Offering direct support and guidance for our students seeking applied or experiential learning opportunities, especially our first-generation students, normalizes participation and contributes to a student's sense of academic belonging and identity. Everything we do is designed to get them to a place of courage, where they know it's okay to step outside their comfort zone.

Michael D’Italia

Director of Experiential Learning

Alexis Winters, a May 2024 first-generation graduate of the university’s biology program, was eager to step outside that comfort zone. As a student at Rutgers–Camden, she participated in research expeditions to the Galapagos Islands, the Patagonia region of Argentina, and the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador.

I've always had a deep passion and appreciation for nature, so when I had the chance to travel to Patagonia, I jumped at the opportunity. That first trip was genuinely life-changing—I came back with a new understanding of the delicate balance of ecosystems and a deeper appreciation and understanding of the work I did in my lab at Rutgers–Camden.

Alexis Winters

For Briannah Shaw, a junior majoring in political science with plans to go to law school, a grant from the Chancellor’s Experiential Learning Fund provided the opportunity to pursue an unpaid legal internship over the summer of 2024.

“Before being offered this chance, I had no genuine experience working in a law office," said Shaw. "But throughout the summer, I attended various court proceedings, assisted in organizing case files, collected and organized evidence, and prepared court binders, all of which truly reinforced my desire to attend law school."

At the end of her internship, Shaw was offered a paid position with the firm, which she happily accepted. She encouraged fellow students to explore the opportunities provided through Rutgers–Camden's experiential learning programs.

"A student doesn't know what they are capable of until they do it," said D'Italia. "Our goal is to have students understand that their journey matters, and no matter what they are facing, we are here to provide them with every attribute of a world-class education, including putting what you've learned into practice."

Fall Experiential Learning Fair Coming to Campus

On October 22, students will have the opportunity connect with faculty, staff, and fellow students to explore the wide variety of high-impact, hands-on learning opportunities at the Rutgers–Camden Fall Experiential Learning Fair.

From specially designed Experiential Learning or Engaged Civic Learning courses to short- or long-term travel experiences, internships, or research opportunities, this event allows students to discover what’s possible and design an academic experience that supports their dreams and prepares them for the future.

Fall Experiential Learning Fair
October 22, 2024
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Main Lounge, Campus Center