Experiential Education

Experiential Education (EE) is a pedagogical approach in which students learn through experience. Instructors purposefully engage learners in a direct experience and focused reflection in order to build knowledge and develop skills in a real-world context.

Types of Experiential Education

Students can engage in experiential education in three main ways:

Classroom Focused: Students are exposed to concrete learning activities in the classroom (physical or virtual, e.g., online) that require them to reflect on what they have experienced in relation to concepts/theories being covered in the course.

Community Focused: Students have the opportunity to connect course material with experiences that occur through interactions with community partners that can take place in the classroom or in the community.

Work Focused: Students have the opportunity to develop competencies and skills and augment the theories/concepts learned in their degree programs by getting hands-on work experience within organizational environments.

EE Testimonials

Reflections from Students and Instructors

Minerva Cernea

Experiential Education Faculty Lead

To transform an experience into experiential learning, it is important to include the reflection piece. At Schulich we have many EE courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, and we are working toward including more experiential learning where our courses and programs allow.

Kiki

IMBA 2nd year and Graduate Business Council President

The skills learned through the IMBA Professional Development course enabled me to integrate seamlessly into the Cidel work culture during my mandatory, credit based, work term. Dr Minerva Cernea has done a fantastic job as Career Advisor; Professional Coach; and Role Model for my transition into the Canadian business environment.

Cathy

IMBA 2nd year, Executive Director of Case Competitions, Graduate Business Council

My International Work Term at The Leadership Institute in Singapore was challenging, formative, and the most instructive part of my time at Schulich. It brought to life what I learned in all of my classes and has helped me create irreplaceable international business connections and experiences.

Minerva Cernea

Experiential Education Faculty Lead

To transform an experience into experiential learning, it is important to include the reflection piece. At Schulich we have many EE courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, and we are working toward including more experiential learning where our courses and programs allow.

Kiki

IMBA 2nd year and Graduate Business Council President

The skills learned through the IMBA Professional Development course enabled me to integrate seamlessly into the Cidel work culture during my mandatory, credit based, work term. Dr Minerva Cernea has done a fantastic job as Career Advisor; Professional Coach; and Role Model for my transition into the Canadian business environment.

Cathy

IMBA 2nd year, Executive Director of Case Competitions, Graduate Business Council

My International Work Term at The Leadership Institute in Singapore was challenging, formative, and the most instructive part of my time at Schulich. It brought to life what I learned in all of my classes and has helped me create irreplaceable international business connections and experiences.

Experiential Education at Schulich

Learn how Schulich incorporates EE both inside and outside the classroom. See how instructors and students deepen their engagement with the course content through real world experiences.

PROP 6300 Partnership Models for Infrastructure Delivery

Prof. Sherena Hussain on Exploring Infrastructure through Experiential Education in PROP 6300

Prof. Marcia Annisette on Understanding the Social Impact of Accounting through Real World Cases

MKTG 4320Tourism Sport & Leisure Marketing

Vijay Setlur on Using Consulting Projects to Connect Students with Sport Industry Leaders in…

Peter Macdonald & Minerva Cernea on Experiential Education at Schulich

IBUS 6490International Business Negotiations

Prof. Steve Weiss on Using Simulations to Practice Negotiation Skills in IBUS 6490

Contact

Dr. Minerva Cernea has over 20 year of leadership experience locally and internationally. Currently Dr. Cernea is the Experiential Education (EE) Faculty Lead at Schulich School of Business and the Assistant Director Internships and Corporate Services for the Schulich International MBA (IMBA). In her role as the EE Faculty Lead Dr. Cernea works on several projects focused on increasing awareness about the EE activities and sharing of information and resources within Schulich School of Business.

Dr. Minerva Cernea

Experiential Education Faculty Lead

mcernea@schulich.yorku.ca

Resources

Creating Experiential Assignments

Riipen is a web-based technology platform that connects educators and students to organizations through meaningful project-based experiences both in and out of the classroom.

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Entrepreneurs’ Organization Network

Entrepreneurs’ Organization Network is the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO helps leading entrepreneurs learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and connections to experts.

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Handshake

Handshake is Schulich Career Development Center (CDC)’s new platform to view job postings, internships, workshops, company information sessions, and to register for career advising appointments. Visit the Schulich website to learn more.

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Keiretsu Forum Canada

A good organization to source companies for projects and placements. Keiretsu Forum Canada is part of Keiretsu Forum, the world’s largest and most active invitation-only angel investor network. Keiretsu Forum members invest in technology, consumer products, internet, healthcare/life sciences, real estate and other segments with high growth potential. For more information, contact Schulich's EE office.

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Experiential Education Resources at York University

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