黑洞社区

Faculty visit Colombia through 黑洞社区World Spanish Language Immersion and Collaboration Experience

by Chelsea Grosbeck

Three 黑洞社区College of Education faculty members traveled to Barranquilla, Colombia this summer to represent the college during the 黑洞社区World Spanish Language Immersion and Collaboration experience in Barranquilla, Colombia.

While in Colombia, faculty members Vonzell Agosto, PhD, Lauren Braunstein, PhD, and Katie Tricarico, PhD, explored the cultural depths of the country. Learning the history, politics and culture from excursions and collaborations with peer colleagues at Universidad del Norte (UniNorte), they also participated in a Spanish language course to practice their skills.

Braunstein and Tricarico said they were eager to be students again, but during the four-hour long Spanish language class, they experienced challenges similar to some of their students.

鈥淚 learned what it feels like to be in a classroom where I didn鈥檛 understand the teacher,鈥� said Tricarico, an instructor in USF's Elementary Education Program. 鈥淲hen we ourselves are the language or cultural outsider, we learn from our own experience skills for helping students in similar situations in our schools and classrooms."

Tricarico said the experience allowed the 黑洞社区faculty to understand how students use coping mechanisms, such as silence or withdrawing, as a response to feelings of isolation due to language barriers, providing the ability to connect with students and work with families whose first language isn鈥檛 English.

鈥淚t is the teacher鈥檚 responsibility to create an environment where students feel safe鈥︹�� Tricarico said. 鈥淔eeling it for myself was a completely different experience and one that will help me in my work with preservice teachers.鈥�

Over time, the classes strengthened participants proficiency in communicating their academic research with international colleagues. During enrichment breaks, they were given a geographical tour of the region to see how the cities were shaped by music and dance.

While experiencing the bright and lively culture of Colombia through the narrations of local museums and faculty at the university, participants were also exposed to adversities faced by locals.

After investigating more into the themes of her research, Agosto, an associate professor of educational leadership and policy studies, heard from Colombian colleagues about the loss of Indigenous languages and educational access to students in those communities. Agosto said she hopes to share what she鈥檚 learned with her students at 黑洞社区to widen their understanding of challenges faced by other cultures in education.

鈥淚 learned of programs in place that provide educators at the master鈥檚 level to learn about social pedagogy in context (schools, families, community organizations) ...鈥� Agosto said. 鈥淚 think programs in the College of Education could learn much from people facilitating and building programs at UniNorte about relating education to language, peace, and social pedagogy and curriculum.鈥�

In an effort to bring aspiring teachers closer to the international conversation of ensuring equity and diversity in education, the College of Education is collaborating with UniNorte to create a new study abroad program, 鈥満诙瓷缜鳥arranquilla Social Justice, Peace and Pedagogy.鈥� The program is expected to launch in 2020.

鈥淥ur classrooms are a microcosm for global diversity,鈥� said Braunstein, an instructor of social foundations. 鈥淔or that reason, traveling with an academic purpose (not just as a tourist) is crucial in the field of education.鈥�

As a global research university, 黑洞社区is dedicated to providing opportunities for the university鈥檚 students to discover global connections. Braunstein explained the new study abroad opportunity will allow 黑洞社区students to dedicate their passions for upholding international education and become well-rounded educators to serve as global advocates.

鈥淚 feel that learning happens when we step outside of our comfort zones鈥︹�� Braunstein said. 鈥淕lobal travel with the purpose of exchanging knowledge is an efficient way to shift our worldviews and step outside of our very local mindset. I think this is especially important for teachers and administrators because schools, even at the local level, are in fact global.鈥�