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Understanding Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is learning by doing. It gives you the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world experiences, challenges, or problems—and reflect on what you learned from doing it.

You may have participated in experiential learning if you:

  • Applied your knowledge in a real-world or hands-on setting.
  • Worked through authentic challenges or problems, rather than only completing a simulated classroom exercise.
  • Connected classroom concepts to practice and adapted what you know to a new situation.
  • Developed transferable skills or competencies through the experience.
  • Reflected on the experience and how it influenced your learning, growth, or future goals.

Experiential learning can happen in curricular, co-curricular, or extracurricular settings and may include experiences such as undergraduate research, internships, cooperative education, externships, study abroad, service learning, and other forms of engaged practice.

This infographic displays experiential learning as a board game. Think of it as a board game and your classes are the guide on "how to play," where they teach you the rules and how to move. Experiential learning is your practice round where you make the moves, roll the dice, and try things out. All the cards are on the table, so try any type of experiential learning opportunity, like research, study abroad, internship, or problem-based learning.

Bridge Experience Program (BEP)

The Bridge Experience Program encourages undergraduate students to participate in an experiential learning opportunity before they graduate. Through the Bridge Experience Program, you'll connect academic learning with real-world practice and reflect on your experience to better understand the knowledge and skills you've developed.

Learn More about the Bridge Experience for Students.

Bridge Experience Overview

This infographic helps to explain what the Bridge Experience is. First, think of it as your personal "bridge" between college and your next step. Then select a meaningful experience that aligns with your interests and goals: undergrad research, internship, study abroad, or community engaged learning. Your goal after graduating could be a job, grad school, or military. In Bridge you will Evaluate your experience, Reflect on your skills and strengths, and Showcase your work connected to your academics. The Bridge Experience Program helps you graduate not just with a degree, but with Clarity on your path ahead, Evidence of skills and strengths, and Confidence to articulate your goals.

The Student Opportunity Center (SOC)

The Student Opportunity Center (SOC) is a database resource for Virginia Tech students for undergraduate experiential learning opportunities. Search for internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, study abroad, and more—all in one place.

Because SOC focuses exclusively on undergraduate experiential learning, you won't have to sort through full-time jobs to find opportunities that match your goals.

Learn more about The Student Opportunity Center.