The (Coffee) Grounds of Change: An Experiential Learning Approach to Sustainable Development

Abstract Drawing on six years of experience teaching Political Science classes with field experiences in the Dominican Republic, I discuss the design and implementation of effective sustainable development projects. What started as a one-off field experience has grown into a long-term relationship with the coffee growing community of El Naranjito, which provides opportunities for students to learn through purchasing our campus coffee and collaborating with producers on navigating the international specialty market. Beyond efforts to assist farmers raise their standard of living through the sale of their primary commodity, students are also involved in projects addressing quality of life issues, such as access to reliable, affordable solar energy and safe drinking water—all funded from profits of our College-branded Warrior Coffee. Discussion includes learning objectives specific to Political Science and how an intentionally crafted experience can assist in the development of students’ cultural competence, global awareness, and soft skills—including effective communication, teamwork, and resilience. Finally, special attention is paid to the importance of building collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships with host communities in order to ensure sustainable economic and community development that seeks to avoid dependency and neocolonial power dynamics. The lessons learned can be applied to other contexts.