Intergenerational Service-learning: an Experience in Health Promotion among Undergraduate Students in Hong Kong

Service-learning has been well documented for its benefits to students. This study examined the service-learning experience of undergraduate students enrolled in the subject Practices in Health Promotion. Data were retrieved from the reflective journals of 72 students and thematic content analysis was performed. The findings indicated that students benefited from incorporating their health promotion skills into a period of community service, which changed their misperceptions about older adults into positive attitudes. The service-learning experience provided opportunities for students to promote health in a real-life situation through intergenerational interactions, and benefited students even though the period of service-learning was short.