During their three-week experiential learning course through SIU Carbondale’s Center for English as a Second Language program, 18 international students were immersed in myriad activities, including volunteering on a community project with Green Earth at the Chautauqua Bottoms Trail (top photo) and (below) visiting the Project Human X community art center in Carbondale. (Photos provided)
June 08, 2026
SIU CESL students connect with community through volunteerism
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Eighteen international students with Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Center for English as a Second Language engaged in an immersive language-and-culture experience combining volunteerism and community involvement with 12 area organizations.
Students volunteered or otherwise interacted with the local organizations as part of CESL’s Community Engagement Program (CEP), a three-week experiential learning course based on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) program.
The students went to a different organization each day from May 18 to June 4. They were led by Geoffrey Young, an associate lecturer in CESL, which is the third oldest intensive English program at a college campus in the United States. The student volunteers included 16 Fulbright Scholars who are completing their pre-academic English language program at CESL.
The experiences allow the students to “think globally but act locally when it comes to tackling issues that affect the quality of life all over the world,” said Lilia Angel-Post, CESL assistant director.
“The program brings language learning to life through a dynamic community engagement experience, and it creates exciting opportunities for students to connect with the community outside the CESL classroom,” Angel-Post said. “In addition, this cross-cultural experience allows international students, community organizations, and community members to learn from each other so they can make meaningful contributions to the place they call home.”
As part of this initiative, the students attended the May 26 Carbondale City Council meeting and visited with Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey and council member Nathan Colombo. Jorge Bravo, a student from Chile, addressed the city council about the Fulbright Scholars program. The students helped with a maintenance project to improve water runoff of a trail; took a guided tour of WSIU’s radio and television studios; visited residents of a senior living facility, and served meals to Herrin House of Hope guests and learned about resources and services the organization offers. They also gave presentations about their countries’ cultures and languages to children at a summer camp.
This year’s cohort included students from 15 different countries: Chile, Comoros, the Dominican Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Panama, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan and Vietnam.
This year’s participating organizations were “At the Table Dinner,” Brown Bag Concert, Carbondale City Council, Giant City State Park, Green Earth, Herrin House of Hope, Kids Korner, Project Human X, Red Hen Garden, Specialized Training for Adult Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.T.), Sunshine Gardens Assisted Living and WSIU.
More information about CESL’s intensive English classes, cultural immersion program, and Community Engagement program is available at cesl@siu.edu and 618-453-2265.
