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The purpose of this paper is to illustrate use of a study abroad opportunity to support a service-learning experience. The study abroad component was a semester-long, multiple-country program in Central America and the service-learning project was an afterschool program for rural elementary and middle school students. Combining the two resulted in the opportunity to use the study abroad experience as a platform to share with the students the culture and issues facing others in the global community.

This mixed-methods study delves into rural community servicelearning (CSL) partnerships, shedding light on the complexities and dynamics of collaboration between colleges and rural communities. Through quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the research amplifies the voices of rural community partners, emphasizing the crucial role of trust, communication, and reciprocity. Challenges such as staff demands and organizational mismatches underscore the need for rural institutions to better prepare students and allocate resources to support their community partners effectively. The study advocates for transformative CSL approaches that prioritize community needs and nurture long-lasting collaborations. By providing insights into the impact of CSL on rural partners and organizations, this research offers valuable recommendations for improving future practices and fostering meaningful engagement in both rural and urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]