Aim: Qualitatively analyze the importance of student participation in a community outreach project for the construction of academic knowledge. Methodology: Qualitative research with a narrative approach about lived and reported experiences. The research is based on the target group of the outreach project, which is composed of elderly men and woman living at the assisted living attended at a philanthropic institution in Belém, Pará, Brazil. The selection process to include students in the outreach program took place after the launch of a public notice and consisted of analyzing letters of intent. After registrations and selection, the seven open positions were filled. Data collection was performed through a self-report questionnaire made available via Google Forms to assess the student's experience in the extension project Results: The self-report questionnaire provided the construction of categories that guide data presentation. When asked for a reflection about their own practical learning during the experience, students stated the opportunity to put in practice and improve the skills acquired in university. Regarding the identification of new professional perspectives, students reportedly identified several instructional approaches consistent with the progressive student development throughout the undergraduate course. Conclusions: Our qualitative research approach based on student narrative experiences revealed that the active participation in outreach programs is useful for hands-on learning and skill practice, and expands professional perspectives, thus enabling greater skill and qualifications for managing elderly patients in a future professional setting.
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