Teamwork in Action: A Qualitative Study of Undergraduate Reflections on University Community Engagement Program

In the context of community engagement projects, understanding students’ perceptions of teamwork is crucial for enhancing collaborative learning experiences. This qualitative study investigates how university students describe their learning encounters with teamwork during the planning and execution of a community engagement initiative. Self-reflection narratives were collected from ten final-semester undergraduates at a local university, who undertook a team-based community engagement project at a government secondary school as part of their course requirement. Thematic analysis was employed to extract recurring themes from the reflections. Three key themes emerged: positive aspects of teamwork, learning moments, and challenges encountered. The findings reveal that students experienced improved communication, appreciation of shared responsibilities, personal growth, and skill development, while also facing difficulties such as unequal participation. These insights are valuable for educators and practitioners seeking to create meaningful, community-based learning experiences. This study contributes to the broader goal of nurturing socially responsible and collaborative citizens, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education).