Experiential Learning Essay

Experiential learning is the type of learning where the students acquire new knowledge through experience. According to the Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, the experience involves translation of experience through reflection to concepts. This period helps to gain much knowledge during experiential learning since it guides a student into selecting the best activity as they “get their hands dirty”.
During the experiential learning, I volunteered to the American Cancer Society. Cancer is a health problem to many people in America. The foundation of the American Cancer Society in 1913 was aiming at reducing the disease among the people. It is among the largest charities in US that aimed at helping cancer victims to increase their survival rate. The health care has 6,500 employees, and its headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia in USA. I was actively participating in the program of Making Strides against Breast Cancer.
As a volunteer, I was carrying out activities were; honoring breast cancer survivors, helping my local community in understanding the concept of the disease. It is because some believe it is a curse from the forefathers. Likewise, I joined the campaign to fight cancer in my local community. I participated in teaching the community on how to detect the breast cancer. The more people are not aware of the disease, the more it is killing the American society. There is an advantage of detecting the breast cancer early because it can be treated. The American Cancer Society can take care of the people with cancer through offering medication and treatment.
Also, the awareness has helped people in my society to volunteer to take tests of breast cancer, making them to see it positive and to fight the fear and the myths behind cancer disease. In my volunteering period, I was able to see how the community reacted towards breast cancer testing. Most of them feared to come for testing but as we continued to spread the gospel of cancer they saw the importance of early testing.
I participated in encouraging the cancer patients showing them they can leave an ordinary life if they lead a positive life. They should eat well and take the prescribed medicine appropriately. I learned that people with cancer can lead a normal life when they receive proper and adequate medication. Moreover, I learned the practical way of personal check up for the breast cancer.
The activities emphasized in being a responsible person by giving back to the society through volunteering. Skills of effective communication are essential because of interacting with diversity in people. Also, I learned that the changing environment, especially climate change, is a contributing factor towards cancer infection. Climate change has led to the depletion of the ozone layer, and the ultraviolet rays are finding their way to the human skin. Exposure to these kinds of rays increases the incidence of cancer. Research has shown that the current generation has more cancer victims as compared to the past centuries. Therefore, there is the importance of protecting the environment so that we can reduce the chances of getting cancer.
I felt good interacting with cancer survivors and talking to them. The interacting was adding value to their lives knowing that the society still honors them. The activity of creating awareness to my local community was interesting, and I enjoyed. I would wish to participate in the activities in the future as I help in fighting cancer among our people.