Forget laying on the beach during spring break - 45 SUNY Oneonta students participated in four faculty-led international trips to six different countries and four continents. Two of the trips had a service-learning focus, and the other two were part of art and history courses.
Eleven SUNY Oneonta art students traveled to the far-away island-country of Singapore - a contemporary art destination in Asia - to further their studies and experience new cultures.While in Singapore, the students attended lectures at LASALLE College of the Arts, visited renowned museums, tried exotic new food, enjoyed the tropical climate and photographed the city. The trip, which was offered to students enrolled in either Basic Photography 2 or Contemporary Art Since 1945, was led by Art Department Lecturers Pearlie Rose Baluyut and Wesley Bernard.
"If I had to narrow it down, my favorite part of the trip has to be the Gardens by the Bay. Singapore is not a very big country and most of it is a city. To find a massive area just dedicated to conservatories and preserves all in the middle of the hustle and bustle is quite beautiful and incredible." - Tyler Burke '18
Seven Spanish students spent spring break doing service-learning projects in colorful Colombia, where the temperature was 78 degrees and higher. Students enjoyed the lush vegetation, toured La Universidad del North, visited museums, hit the beach, and spent time at Sofia Camargo – an all-girls school, grades 1 through 11 – teaching lessons in English. The students were accompanied by Department of Foreign Languages & Literature Lecturer Alejandra Escudero.
"The people here have the biggest hearts I have ever witnessed. We are leaving Barranquilla with open eyes and hearts because it truly is amazing how in such a short amount of time someone can leave such a powerful impact on you." - Madison Hatch '20
In a whirlwind, multi-country trip, 21 students enrolled in a European History course called The Norman Conquest visited Norway, England and Scotland and saw many historic sites. They listened to lectures and examined museum artifacts ranging from Viking ships to the Rosetta Stone, took long train rides through beautiful countryside, saw medieval walls and churches, and visited the White Cliffs of Dover and Westminster Abbey. They were accompanied by Associate Professor of History April Harper.
"There's something about physically walking through historic places that is just so mind-blowing. Sure, I can read all about the Norman Conquest ... (But) having the opportunity to have a lecture given on people who once stood in that same exact spot hundreds of years ago is unforgettable and becomes engraved in your memory." - Karolina Stypulkowski '18
Five students and Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics Janet Antwi collaborated with faculty and dietetics students at the University of Ghana to conduct nutrition assessments and teach elementary school children about health and nutrition using games, activities and visual aids. Students also completed a clinical experience in the capital city of Accra, observing and evaluating clients at the Diet Therapy Unit of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. They were able to put into practice knowledge and skills from their Nutrition Assessment and Community Nutrition courses.
"I believe this will go a long way to empower the children to make good nutrition decisions ... In turn, our students were able to learn a lot from experts in lectures and discussions and through excursions both in the community and at the clinic. The students did an excellent job." - Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics Janet Antwi
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