MSA Student Experience Fund

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What Is Experiential Learning?

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), defines Experiential Learning (MTCU, 2017) as: ‘hands-on learning in a real or simulated workplace that helps prepare students for the transition to work’.

Do I Qualify?

To qualify for the MSA Student Experience Fund, the activity must not be an academic requirement for a college course and students must be full-time post-secondary students.

There are two learning experiences you can participate in, Academic and General College Learning Experiences. Academic Learning Experiences are activities that are related to your academic journey and program at Mohawk College. Some examples but not limited to include: optional field trips that are built into your program, projects where students have costs to facilitate the project, and external competitions students can participate in. The General College Learning Experiences are activities that support the learning of students on an individual and professional level.

Some examples include but are not limited to: conferences, leadership development, college events, and external organization events.

Benefits of Participating

Experiential learning provides students with real-world, hands-on experiences that allow them to actively engage with the subject matter. By doing so, students can develop a deeper understanding of the concepts and theories they learn in the classroom.

Active Learning: Experiential learning promotes active learning, where students are actively involved in the learning process rather than passively receiving information. Through activities such as internships, fieldwork, or service-learning projects, students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
Engagement and Motivation: Experiential learning often taps into students' interests and passions, making the learning process more engaging and motivating. When students have the opportunity to work on projects or tasks that align with their career goals or personal interests, they are more likely to be invested in the learning experience and achieve better outcomes.
Skill Development: Experiential learning provides students with the opportunity to develop and refine a range of skills that are highly valued in the job market. These skills include communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving. Through experiential learning, students can gain practical experience and enhance their employability by demonstrating their abilities in real-world situations.
Networking and Professional Development: Participating in experiential learning often involves interacting with professionals in the field or working in collaboration with organizations. This allows students to build a network of contacts, gain exposure to different career paths, and develop a sense of professional identity. These experiences can be valuable when seeking internships, jobs, or graduate school opportunities.
Personal Growth and Self-Reflection: Experiential learning can also foster personal growth and self-reflection. Students are exposed to new environments, challenges, and perspectives, which can broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through reflection exercises, students can make connections between their experiences and their personal and academic development.

Overall, participating in experiential learning can enhance the educational experience by providing practical application, active engagement, skill development, personal growth, and networking opportunities. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, preparing students for the complexities of the real world and enhancing their overall learning outcomes.

Get Started!

Application Process

All students, classes, and groups that wish to utilize the MSA Student Experience Fund must fill out the MSA Student Experience Fund Application. Students can pick one up at any MSA office or email msainfo@mohawkcollege.ca to access a digital copy. The application form must be completed in full, stating the purpose of the activity, an overview of the activity including the cost associated, the date, the number of students participating, a statement from a faculty member regarding the relevancy of the activity, trip or event to the college course and how it connects to the MSA values.

Once this form is submitted to the MSA at least two weeks before the scheduled activity, trip, or event, it will be reviewed by the Manager of Student Services, unless the amount exceeds $500.00. If the amount requested exceeds $500.00, the application will be reviewed by a group of MSA staff and members of the Board of Directors (which includes the Student Services Manager, Director of Student Experience, Executive Director, MSA President, Treasurer, and Director at Large). This process can take up to a week to complete. Once a decision is made, we will notify the applicant and provide funding accordingly.

After the activity, event, or trip, the student, class, or group, must follow up with the MSA to share their story of their experience of the learning they did. We will send a follow-up email with questions to prompt the students to answer a reflection about their experiential learning experience. If this reflection is not submitted, future requests may not be approved.

Application Form