This study examines the impact of learning through service on student transformation during their participation in The Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Project organized by A University’s Volunteer Center (AVC). The initial project began in April 2011 in the K community of Otsuchi-cho in Iwate prefecture which suffered a great devastation from the earthquake and tunami. In order to promote sustainability and create learning in the volunteer activities , AVC developed an action research project that focus on a service-learning structure through a Plan, Do, Study, further Action (PDSA) learning cycle. At first, students supported the resumption of local schools because most schools in Otsuchi-cho had been destroyed by the tsunami. After this, students asked community needs and have started six projects (tutoring and mentoring, archiving the process of recovery from the tsunami, preserving local culture, providing social activities, engaging in seaside forest revitalization, and supporting program for children). This project had strong impact on students. Findings from a survey conducted in 2012 exploring the outcomes of student learning reveled 100% of participants experienced learning motivation, 93% of participants experienced consciousness raising about the community. 53% of participants were influenced by problem-solving, and 34% of participants found their future career path. AVC offers study opportunities which are with the community. In this way, resources of learning are provided from both sides, from in and out of campus. Through interaction, students became an active learner as citizen.
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