BUSEL Service Learning Project
Along with fulfilling its academic responsibilities, the Bilkent School of English Language (BUSEL) is pursuing opportunities for its students to have a "wider engagement with society," in line with the university's strategic plan. To this end, the English Language Preparatory Program started the spring term with a new initiative, which aims to enrich students' life experiences through a "service learning" project with LÖSEV (the Foundation for Children with Leukemia).
The project has been integrated into the pre-faculty level curriculum, with a pilot class participating on a voluntary basis. For 12 weeks, class members provided English language support and coaching to students of the LÖSEV Primary School as they prepared to stage the musical "Grease" at the Turkish Ministry of Education Theater Festival. The BUSEL class first participated in a peer training session provided by Bilkent TDP (Social Awareness Projects), and then received professional support from the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts (FMPA). Asst. Prof. Brendan McCall gave a seminar, and fourth-year FMPA student Esma Çankaya worked to coordinate the staging of the musical.
The project also enlisted the cooperation of İDV Bilkent Primary School. On May 13, the students of the two schools will display their skills in a joint performance at the Bilkent Concert Hall.
All members of the Bilkent University community and their children are invited to contribute to LÖSEV by attending the performance and watching these talented youngsters.
LÖSEV stands will be open on East Campus in the Preparatory Program N Building on May 7 and 8, in the Özel Bilkent Primary School on May 9 and 10, at Spring Fest on May 12, and in the Bilkent Concert Hall during the performance on May 13.
As part of the service learning project and also their coursework, the BUSEL students will share what they have learned with their schoolmates through assignments, portfolios and presentations in English. But the performance on May 13 will be the culmination of the project and will also provide an opportunity to applaud their voluntary work. Thanks are extended to İDV Bilkent Primary School, the Faculty of Music and Performing Arts, Bilkent TDP, Mozart Cafe, MyBilet and all the "silent" sponsors whose invaluable support has made the project and the performance possible.
Theater Performance for LÖSEV
Sunday, May 13, Mother's Day,
at 3 p.m.
The Miser (Molière)
İDV Bilkent Primary School
Grease (Musical)
LÖSEV Primary School
Bilkent Concert Hall
Tickets available from:
FMPA & MyBilet (20 TL)
All ticket revenue will be donated to LÖSEV