The contribution of the Rondon Project in training university students

Abstract

University extension activities are fundamental for the interaction of students with society, since they connect the theory learned in the classroom with practice in the community. The Rondon Project contributes to this interaction by taking university students to different regions of Brazil, where they conduct extension activities in communities in situations of social vulnerability. This study analyzes the contributions of participation in the Rondon Project in the personal and professional development of students enrolled at the University of Cruz Alta (UNICRUZ). Analysis was made of twenty-eight questionnaires completed by the participants, of whom 100% considered that the experience was valid, while 93% believed that it contributed significantly to their professional training, and 96% considered that it assisted their personal development. This information became more evident in the reports, which highlighted that the Rondon Project was the “best experience” and that “team working” was very important during the activities. Hence, it was evident that the Rondon Project greatly assisted the training of the students, since it encompassed experiences that had both professional and personal aspects, leading to the development of values and improvement of academic learning.