http://www.stfx.ca/news/view/13621/
Immersion Service Learning participants – 38 students and four faculty leaders – took part in experiences in Cuba, Grenada, Guatemala and L’Arche Ottawa over Reading Week. A fifth group goes to Belize
Michael Thompson, a third year StFX honours math and chemistry student, remembers hiking along a mountain ridge in Rio Negro, hearing a Guatemalan native tell of his life experiences, the tragedy this small community experienced, and their journey to rebuild and commemorate the lives lost.
“Standing watching the 177 candles burn at the massacre site was truly touching. The feeling of walking down the mountain in such a peaceful and beautiful place touched by tragedy was overwhelming, yet inspiring,” says the Truro, NS native who was in Guatemala over Reading Week on a StFX Immersion Service Learning experience strongly focused on human rights.
“This experience has left a lasting impression on me.”
In Guatemala
There’s much to be said about being a participant who learns through action, agrees StFX student Zachary MacNeil who spent the week volunteering at school placements in Grenada.
“I actually felt the experience – I saw, smelled, heard, and tasted the culture and lifestyle of Grenadians. When the experience becomes real and personal, it is unforgettable,” says the second year human kinetics student from Sydney, NS. “These opportunities are crucial for students. They are eye-opening, fantastic, and inspirational,”
It’s a feeling Julie Beadle knows well. The third year honours psychology student from Roberts Creek, BC, travelled to L’Arche Ottawa for an Immersion Service Learning experience, and says it’s extremely important students have such opportunities. “As a psychology student, this experience made sections of textbooks that I have read for class come to life. This hands-on experience allowed for a different and very enriching form of learning that complements the type of learning that typically occurs in university classrooms.”
Adds Emily MacDonald, a third year human nutrition student who travelled to Cuba, “I believe that Immersion Service Learning is an incredible opportunity for students to learn about culture and enhance their understanding of their own culture. ISL allows half of a year’s worth of learning and experience to happen in one week.”
The four were part of 38 students and four faculty leaders who participated in StFX’s Service Learning Immersion experiences over Reading Week. Four groups travelled to experiences in Cuba, Grenada, Guatemala and L’Arche Ottawa. Another 11 students and modern languages professor Dr. Réjeanne Leblanc will travel to Belize from April 24 to May 7.
StFX, the first Canadian university to offer an Immersion Service Learning program, has since its inception in 1996, provided opportunity for over 800 students to travel to Belize, China, Cuba, Grenada, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Montreal, Romania, and L’Arche Daybreak in Ottawa and Toronto.
This year’s Reading Week immersion trips included human nutrition professor Dr. Jen Jamieson leading 11 students to Cuba; nursing professor Dr. Patti Hansen-Ketchum leading 12 students to Grenada; political science and development studies professor Dr. Jim Bickerton and 12 students to Guatemala; and fine arts professors Janette Fecteau and three students to L’Arche Ottawa.
In Cuba
As part of the immersion experience, each group is introduced to community development issues through meetings with community leaders, visits to historic and cultural sites, service placements, and reflection sessions facilitated by the faculty member and a local partner agency.
Ms. Beadle says she wanted to take part in the L’Arche Ottawa trip after doing a course-based service learning placement last year at L’Arche Antigonish. “I absolutely loved it,” she says. “I wanted to expand on this experience.
L’Arche Ottawa
“The L’Arche Ottawa trip particularly interested me because I thought it would overlap well with my current studies in psychology as well as my interest in speech pathology as a future career.”
Through the week the group participated in everyday activities associated with living in L’Arche, volunteered at day programs for people with developmental disabilities, and helped make dinner at one of L’Arche homes, sharing a meal with residents, and participating in after dinner activities. At week’s end, they helped organize a fundraiser for L’Arche Ottawa’s sister community in Honduras.
Mr. Thompson says he was interested in participating as a way to broaden his awareness of the global community, as well as learn something outside his academic program. He says the experience has already encouraged him to think critically on everyday decisions and their implications on an individual and societal level. “The choices we make can influence so many people in the world. It has inspired me to continue to learn outside the classroom and to reflect on my values.
“I would encourage anyone to push themselves to have a similar opportunity. The StFX Service Learning Immersion is an incredibly valuable opportunity to travel with students and faculty that often embrace a passion for learning inside and outside of the classroom.”
Mr. MacNeil says he had the privilege of volunteering at the St. Andrews School for Special Education where he assisted teachers in basic math, reading, and writing lessons, and played games with the special needs children. “Most importantly, I was an active listener and just being present at their school to observe and learn from the teachers and students was the most rewarding part.”
Scenes from the Grenada experience
StFX political science professor Dr. Jim Bickerton, faculty leader for the Guatemala trip, says the experience was very educational, with a strong focus on human rights, including genocidal massacres against the indigenous population during the 1980s civil war.
He says the experience was extremely well organized by their in-country host, Breaking the Silence and Jackie MacVicar.
“The experience was emotional and moving but also intellectually stimulating. There was also great exposure to the culture of the indigenous Mayan population. I learned a great deal on the trip about human rights and indigenous peoples’ issues. Getting to know the students in this setting was also very rewarding and renewed my faith in the high quality of students we have at StFX.”
The Guatemala group
Dr. Bickerton says students benefit enormously from this kind of experience from an educational perspective as well as in terms of personal growth as individuals. “I would recommend this experience for any student no matter what program or discipline they are taking. Having this option available, thanks to the ongoing dedication of Professor Ann Bigelow, Marla Gaudet, Susan MacKay and others associated with Service Learning, is important for the university.”
Leave A Comment