About Us

Beyond the Books offers an interactive portal of experiential learning programs and opportunities for "real world" study options throughout all realms of higher education.

Student Horizons, Inc. and Beyond the Books believe that the quality of the educational experience is enhanced by experiential learning: research projects, internships, community service and service-learning, study abroad, leadership programs, entrepreneurial training, and living learning communities.
 
These types of opportunities enhance classroom learning and help students develop transferable life skills that are needed after college. The best colleges are those that use the whole campus experience—in class and out—to promote the connection between knowledge and action.

Young adults know they need practical experience in the real world in addition to evidence of academic accomplishments.  The typical college student is becoming more complex and nontraditional and is demanding more varied modes of learning. However, they often don’t know where to start looking and how to find the best choice for their personal situation.  The task of choosing the type of program to participate in, finding the correct campus contact, searching through the possibilities, and finally choosing and applying for the program is often daunting.

These lead to the goals and overall purpose for Beyond the Books.

• Fill the need for a comprehensive database of information for future and current college students to find unique learning opportunities that will enhance and define their educational experience.
• Offer a portal for colleges, universities, and independent programs to increase national exposure of their distinctive programs and to put them in one place for quick and easy student access.

Features of Beyond the Books:

Library Pages – Beyond the Books intends to be a central resource for educating college bound and current college students concerning all types of experiential learning opportunities. A vast library of information and articles will shed insight into the easy program explanations, benefits of participating, as well as finding funding and scholarships.  Useful links to additional information will be included as needed.

Search - The database is searchable by type of program, programs offered for specific academic interest, college-specific programs, as well as broad demographic, personal and extracurricular criteria to help attain a short list from which to focus in more detail. Visitors can save their searches for future reference.

Student Interactive Area: Blogs, Podcasts, Articles– An area for students to learn about success stories from current and past college students. These will include stories of past experiences as well as various ongoing blogs and podcasts from student currently involved in programs.

College Viewbooks- Beyond the Books will post eight-page profiles of all partnering colleges and universities. The focus is on promoting the institutional programs offered to engage students in hands-on learning experiences that are pertinent to success after college. A hot link will index to the institution’s own website.

Independent Programs Gateway- The site will have links, and small profiles for various high-integrity partners who have been identified as providing services that are complementary to the college programs and to Beyond the Books. 

Beyond the Books Four Main Categories of Experiential Learning

Undergraduate research
Students can develop an expertise and passion for a subject, and develop strong collegial relationships by working with faculty or fellow students on projects. These relationships provide the grounding for a fuller, more active and more vibrant education than one could ever get by simply attending classes. Research projects indicate a student's commitment to critical thinking, development of analytical skills, self-motivation, and thirst for knowledge.

Service Learning/ Community Service
Students will gain academic knowledge and skills while working with community-based agencies and organizations on addressing community needs with the particular experience tailored to a specific class or major.

Study Abroad Programs
Provides experience and understanding of the global context of the society in which we live. Cross-cultural experiences help students appreciate and respect cultural diversity.

Career Exploration: Internships and Co-ops
Not only do internships enhance skills and knowledge first gained in the classroom, but such experiences provide important networking advantages for students preparing to graduate and seek career opportunities.

Unique Opportunities
This section would include any unique program offered by the institution
Entrepreneurship Programs
Leadership Programs
Adventure Learning
Portfolio Development Programs
Honors Programs
First-Year Seminar
Living-Learning Communities