Experiential Learning

At Kenyon, experiential learning connects academic work to real-world practice through exclusive internships, research, community partnerships, global learning, on-campus work and more.

Students apply classroom knowledge to real-world contexts in immersive and self-directed settings and move beyond theory to engage with the world around them. This process deepens understanding, develops transferable skills and cultivates the values essential for leadership and citizenship.

As experiential learning provides students with opportunities close to home, in Columbus and beyond, faculty, staff and alumni mentors provide support through the academic curriculum, research labs, on-campus employment, job shadows, professional projects and networking events.

Related Offices

Internships

There’s no substitute for hands-on experience.

Cancer researcher, coach, director, analyst, apprentice, community outreach coordinator, congressional intern, youth ambassador and marketing photographer. These are just some of the titles students acquire in their time as interns.
Internships Everywhere

From interning for the New York City Mayor’s Office to teaching English to students in Beijing, Kenyon students travel near and far to gain real-world experience.
On-Campus Professionals

Students take part in many gold-standard campus internships, including opportunities at The Gund art museum, the Kenyon Review literary journal and as associates for other offices and centers.
Funded Opportunities

To combat financial barriers, a variety of funds help cover lost wages or expenses. Kenyon's goal is to empower students to pursue bold, meaningful experiences across all fields and places, knowing that support is there every step of the way.

Research

On a quest to dig deeper.

At Kenyon, students collaborate with faculty experts on research opportunities that hold the potential to change the world. In year-long programs and intensive summer projects, student researchers get specific, go deep and immerse themselves in big questions.
Summer Scholars

Research takes center stage during the summer months at Kenyon — more than 110 students take part in research projects covering the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences and fine arts. View the broad range of summer opportunities.
Science Education

Kenyon's Science Education & Outreach Scholars work with faculty, local teachers and community partners to develop science programming for K–12 students, creating modules in the summer and implementing them during the year.
Powerful Partners

From independent labs run by Kenyon faculty to well-established partnerships with OSU, Ohio 5 and Pelotonia to farther afield connections to Harvard, Princeton and Northwestern, students engage in complex and significant research projects.

Community Engagement

Fostering collaboration between Kenyon and the local community.

Immersive, high-impact experiences including community engaged learning, collaborative partnerships, internships and volunteer opportunities prepare Kenyon students to be engaged citizens and leaders of the world.
Community Engaged Learning (CEL)

Community engaged learning courses address community needs through partnerships with local organizations and experts.
Kenyon Community Internship Program (KCIP)

Area employers host students during the academic year and summer, offering community internships that build professional experience.
Volunteer Opportunities

Through local volunteer opportunities, students engage with the community, better understand social issues and develop as advocates and problem solvers.

Global Learning and Study Abroad

Navigating the globe — figuratively and literally.

Through global learning opportunities including off-campus study, travel embedded courses and globally connected courses, Kenyon students solve real-world problems and build on academic foundations.
Off-Campus Study

Kenyon offers more than 250 study abroad programs across 50+ countries, along with signature programs in England and Italy and opportunities across the U.S.
Travel Embedded Courses

Kenyon’s fully funded travel-embedded courses combine the academic curriculum with site-specific experiences that deepen learning.
Globally Connected Courses

Globally connected courses examine material through different cultural lenses, with shared readings and discussions in partnership with institutions abroad.

Campus Employment

Beyond a paycheck.

Students take on many meaningful roles on campus, supporting peers within and as an extension of the classroom, collaborating with faculty and staff and building skills that translate far beyond the Hill.
Associate Programs

Associate programs provide unique opportunities for hands-on experience at The Gund, the Kenyon Review, the Center for the Study of American Democracy, and other campus organizations.
Peer Support

From the teaching assistants in Kenyon’s distinctive language-learning model to consultants sharing their knowledge through the Writing Center, students gain valuable experience advising and tutoring their peers.
A Variety of Opportunities

The Office of Student Work helps students navigate on-campus opportunities from admissions tour guides to athletic center assistants that emphasize professional skill-building, teamwork and mentoring.