Impacts of Service-Learning on Cultural Adaptation, Analytical Thinking, and Communication Skills of University Students

Abstract

Changing trends in the workplace requires employees with different skills compared to employees in the past. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of service-learning in developing cultural adaption skills, analytical thinking skills and communication skills among university students. Questionnaires are distributed to 129 students selected through stratified random sampling. Data are analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis. The findings show a significant influence of service-learning on cultural adaption skills, analytical thinking skills and communication skills among university students. These findings implies that service-learning is a beneficial teaching approach that can develop skills needed by the present employees’ requirements. Therefore, universities should embed more service-learning projects in their curricula, increase service-learning training for course instructors and develop strong collaboration with the community to ensure students have vast opportunities for cultural adaptation, analytical thinking and communication skills development.