Service Learning: A Vehicle for Developing Cultural Competence in Health Education

Objective: To discuss the connections between multicultural education, service learning, and the development of professional competencies. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from reflective papers, classroom observations, and pamphlets of students (n=125) involved in community-based learning. Results: The findings of the study revealed three major themes related to service learning and cultural competence: (1) the development of “ethnic consciousness” (2) the importance of both personal and intellectual development for cultural competence with regard to health issues and (3) the role of service learning in empowering students to be contributing citizens to their community. Conclusion: Community-based service learning moves students beyond cultural awareness toward the development of cultural competence that is grounded in both health education and in the realities and complexities of a multicultural community.