Service Learning and Community Service

Pacific International Academy Wins Community Service Award

Service Learning and Community Service Courses

At PIA, we offer courses that teach real-world professional skills and empower students to make a positive difference in the world. Service Learning and Community Service are two courses that cover practical topics such as resume and cover letter writing, workplace communication, US business culture, and cross-cultural interactions. At the end of both courses, PIA connects students with local nonprofit organizations for an extended volunteer assignment. Volunteering allows students to apply their new knowledge of US workplace culture and communication, help local communities, and learn about important causes like poverty, education, the arts, and the environment. In addition, students gain valuable experience that can benefit their future studies and work. With over 50 nonprofit organization partners, PIA students can match their volunteer experience to their interests and goals!

Course Structure

Service Learning and Community Service are added to an Intensive English study plan.

Stage 1 Preparation & Placement	Write professional cover letters and resumes Get matched with non-profit organizations
Stage 2 US Workplace Culture	Learn about American business culture Improve professional communication skills
Stage 3 Volunteer Service	Volunteer at non-profit organizations Use English in a real-world environment

Click here to learn more about what your weekly schedule might look like.

How are Service Learning and Community Service different?

Differences	Service Learning	Community Service
Volunteer Hours	120 hours over 6 weeks	35 hours over a 10-week term
Volunteer Period	After final term of Intensive English	During second term of Intensive English
Volunteering	Full-time volunteering 20 hours per week	Full-time study in Intensive English + 4 volunteer hours per week

What are the requirements?

• Service Learning or Community Service is recommended for students with intermediate English proficiency.  Students may enroll in service learning or community service when they have reached CEFR level A2 in most skills and CEFR level B1 or higher in at least one skill.  Students may demonstrate they have reached this level through any one of the following achievements:
  • Enrollment in level 2 or higher at PIA OR 
  • TOEFL Essentials score of 3 or higher OR 
  • IELTS score of 3 or higher OR 
  • Duolingo English Test score of 25 or higher OR 
  • EIKEN grade Pre-2 or higher and a PIA speaking test OR  
  • TOEIC 225 or higher and a PIA speaking test 
• Students in Service Learning must be in their final term at PIA. Volunteer service takes place during the 60 days after the end of full-time study.
• Community Service students must enroll in at least two terms of Intensive English.

When are the courses offered?

• Courses start in the spring and fall.  Volunteering happens immediately afterwards.

Where do students volunteer and what do they do?

Over 50 nonprofit partners welcome PIA students. Some examples include:

• Austism Society of Oregon – Support Oregonions with autism and their families by doing office administration and explore networking by attending fairs.
• Blanchet House – Serve food and distribute supplies to homeless people
• Brides for a Cause – Help in this bridal boutique by assisting brides in choosing the right dress. Gain retail and customer service experience.
• Friends of the Library – Volunteer at this book store with kind American volunteers and gain retail and customer service experience.
• Japanese American Museum of Oregon – Assist at the front desk of this museum and translate materials. Learn about Japanese-American history.
• Montavilla Farmers’ Market – Help with and take part in a local farmer’s market by answering customer’s basic question, taking photographs, and more.
• MetroEast Community Media – Learn how to run a camera for a public television show; learn film editing skills and support others in learning media technology skills.
• Our Village Gardens – Support a community garden, fruit orchard, and store serve the largest affordable housing community in Oregon where over 17 different languages are spoken.
• Portland After School Tennis and Education – Help in after-school programs for children (includes tutoring and sports classes)
• Portland Parks and Recreation – Dig into nature while learning about native plants and habitat conservation.
• Rose Haven Day Shelter – Support women, children, and people of minoritized genders with meals, clothes, hygiene items, and arts and crafts actvities.
• We Belong PDX – Help with children and support healthy relationships and mental health through work with children on arts and crafts projects, sports, and games.

Visit PIA’s YouTube channel to hear from some Service Learning and Community Service students!