Florida State University
AC-5: Immersive Experience

The FSU Community Ambassador program links local non-profit agencies with the people, programs, and resources on FSU's campus. Each Ambassador works with one local agency (for an entire academic year), learning the inner workings of that agency. Ambassadors bring knowledge of their agencies to FSU, connecting campus and community. Ambassadors assist in the recruiting, training, and organizing FSU students at the placement site. Knowledge of the agency's specific service needs, combined with the Center’s vital resources, create opportunities for positive, sustainable change within FSU and the local community. Sustainability issues are explored in collaboration with the Damayan Garden Project, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 to increase food security for low-income families in the Tallahassee area. Damayan works to enhance the quality of life in our community by teaching people how to grow their own food. They provide schoolyards, community centers, and low-income housing communities with the tools and skills needed to establish gardens. Florida State Alternative Breaks sends students out to serve in diverse communities across the country and around the world during spring and other breaks. Alternative Breakers understand the root causes of social issues and work alongside community members to identify and address issues in their community. Participants are aware of their own identity and create meaningful experiences as they interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Alternative Breaks alumni are leaders in their communities and have a lifelong commitment to sustainable service. Florida State University International Programs offers numerous international placement sites for sustainability-related immersive learning. Students experience a meaningful international experience through a curriculum that is significantly enhanced by the international setting and local resources, while still allowing students to continue their normal progress towards graduation.

http://thecenter.fsu.edu/Programs/Community-Ambassador-Program http://thecenter.fsu.edu/Programs/Florida-State-Alternative-Breaks http://www.international.fsu.edu/Default.aspx