tudy Abroad gives students a world's-eye view tudy Abroad gives students a world's-eye view |
A walk along the Great Wall of China and a bird’s-eye view of civil strife in Mexico were just two memorable learning experiences that participants gained in Palo Alto’s 2006 study abroad programs. Instruction in an array of classes offered in art, business, humanities, economics, news reporting and writing equipped students with a foundation for understanding and appreciating the culture and history of the country they would be visiting. |
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Once there, students obtained first-hand knowledge of world issues in their interactions with locals and exposure to current events in China and in Oaxaca, Mexico. Michelle Vargas, Palo Alto Business graduate, said, “You can see things on television, hear stories from other people, but there is nothing like experiencing it for yourself.” Field trips to the Latin American exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art, the San Antonio Food Bank, the SAMM Shelter, and the house of an avid Mexican folk art collector gave students the chance to bond and a taste of what to expect during their stay in Oaxaca. “The most memorable part of my experience was meeting the other students and getting to know each other in such short period of time,” said Elizabeth Iglesias, a Palo Alto Communications major. |
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 Students and faculty visited the Instituto Tecnologico de Oaxaca during their stay in Oaxaca, Mexico.Photo courtesy of Mary Esther DeHoyos |
Encounters with the locals of Oaxaca also made a lasting impression on the students. “I think most of us will never forget the two brothers we met in the zocolo, the main square. They were about seven and nine years old. They came up to us asking us to buy some bracelets. They could only return home after they sold all their bracelets. Can you imagine? |
I barely let my nephews play in the front yard alone,” said Melanie Lizcano, a Communications sophomore at Palo Alto. In the pre-dawn hours of June 14, 2006, the two-week Oaxaca trip was cut short when students awoke to “tear gas being thrown down from helicopters by the Mexican state police at peaceful protestors,” said Igelsias. Students witnessed history in the making from the rooftop of their hotel, and they experienced the sting of tear gas. The protesters were teachers who want better salaries for themselves and better learning conditions for their students. When it became evident that the situation was getting worse, the decision was made to return home. “Our parting was sad. We cried when we had to leave,” said Iglesias. The group hopes to return to Oaxaca during Spring Break 2007, if the situation has improved by then. |
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Lizcano said, “The experience changed my life. I see how spoiled we are in America, and when I came back home I am a whole different person. I keep up with current events, and I view the media differently now by how they misinterpret the aim of the protestors in addition to what is not being reported.” Detailed online journals and pictures of students’ experiences were posted on an Internet blog (online journal). If you are interested in learning more, you may |
 Student Government President Michelle Vargas enjoys the pandas in China. Courtesy of Michelle Vargas |
access all of the students’ blogs and their final projects through Dr. Denise Barkis- |
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“Traveling is enormously beneficial,” said Mariana Orenelas, Associate Professor of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies. “A chance to see another country is a window to the world. People need to be armed with knowledge of other cultures.” The China trip gave Michelle Vargas a different perspective on the conditions of Chinese society. “I now understand why laws are in place prohibiting families from having more than one child. It really is necessary. They do not have any room for the population they already have,” said Vargas. For Tiffany Moore, a Palo Alto sophomore, a highlight of the China experience was the time she had to spend on her own without the tour guide or instructors. “I got to experience the Chinese culture without any tour guides or translators,” said Moore. |
 Photo by Michelle Vargas |
 Photo by Blair Richter |
 Photo by Camille Hernandez |
According to Karen Marcotte, Professor of History Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, “If you want to know a culture, go and interact as much as possible. Not with the wealthy or not even with the upper or middle class, but the everyday, ordinary people.” While finances can be a burden, it did not prevent students from taking the chance of a lifetime and utilizing their resourcefulness to seek out alternate methods of payment. Scholarships were available to students from the ACCD Foundation for $1000. Vargas said she paid for the remaining balance of about $2,000 with a student loan taken out in anticipation of the China trip. While many did receive scholarships, Lizcano, did not. She missed the deadline, but it did not stop her from going. She decided to raise the money she needed by having a fundraiser on her own behalf. “I sold BBQ plates for $5. That included BBQ chicken, sausage, rice, beans and potato salad. Family members donated all the sides: rice, beans, and potato salad,” said Lizcano. “If you don’t take risks you will never know, at least you can say you tried. I took the initiative and raised money for my trip. I raised about $2,000. So, it can be done!” Future study abroad scheduled will visit London during Spring Break 2007, Turkey and Mexico during Maymester 2007, and Italy and Spain during Summer I 2007. Scholarships and financial aid are available for ACCD students enrolled in two courses. For further information on the classes offered contact, Seiferth about London, Karen Marcotte for Turkey, Elsa Anaya about Mexico, Lloyd Walsh for Italy, and Dr. Denise Barkis Richter for Spain. |
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Photo courtesy of Michelle Vargas