INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
STUDY ABROAD SWEDEN/DENMARK
Santa Fe College Summer 2019 program
In the Summer 2019 semester, I was able to experience the Scandinavian region for the first time, through Santa Fe College's Study Abroad program. The trip started in Orebro Sweden, where we were provided a unique opportunity to engage with and shadow students from the Thoren Business College. Following Orebro, we spent 7 days split between Stockholm and Copenhagen, where we were given a remarkable amount of freedom to seek out and absorb the Scandinavian culture however we saw fit. During my time in Sweden, I conducted original comparative research on gender role stereotypes within Swedish/American cultures.
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My most memorable moments occurred while me and my newfound study abroad friends would explore our surroundings (usually on foot) with only a vague notion of where we were going or how to get there.
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PROJECT
"Gender Roles & Stereotypes in Dating: America vs. Sweden"
While visiting Sweden on a study abroad trip in the summer of 2019, I was able to gather data for an independent research project titled "Gender Roles & Stereotypes in Dating: America vs. Sweden."
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As part of my research 400 surveys were administered to American and Swedish citizens who were actively dating (100 American male, 100 American female, 100 Swedish Male, 100 Swedish female). Additionally 40 interviews were conducted (10 American male, 10 American female, 10 Swedish male, 10 Swedish female). Quantitative data between the cultures were then compared and qualitative interview data was used to better understand the differences.
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Upon completing the project, my results were presented to the college.
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ENGLISH SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) TEACHING
International Learning Center: Level 1 & 4 - July 2019 to Current
During the summer of 2018, I was awarded an ESL teaching certificate at the International Learning Center in Gainesville. Upon being certified I began working with my mentor Pat Rayos as her assistant in a level 1 ESL class. The following fall and subsequent spring semesters I was given a level 4 class to teach.
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During this time I had the privilege to teach an incredible group of students who'd each gone through a unique journey to get to America. The dedication and passion that my students brought to their learning was truly inspiring.
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Some of my fondest memories were our active learning lessons, in which I put my students in real-life situations. For example, calling apartment complexes to obtain information, in order to practice speaking on the phone in English.
DANCE, DESERT AND DRINKS
International Center Event - Nov 13, 2018.
A cultural exchange event, hosted by the International Center of Santa Fe College.
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The event was a sharing of various cultures through traditional music and dance. During the 2+ hour event, a large number of diverse acts were scheduled. Performances ranged from tango to belly dancing and many more. Additionally, traditional foods and drinks from around the world were provided to audience members.
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Some of the performers allowed audience members to join in and attempt to learn the dances, providing another level of engagement (pictured).
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EXPLORE THE REGIONAL DIVERSITY OF UKRAINE
International Center Event - Sep 20, 2018.
This event was put on by the International Center, featuring a coalition of Ukrainian educators visiting the college.
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The presentation was centered around the struggles that many of the presenters continue to face, trying to continue educating despite the Russian invasion. Many of the Ukrainians spoke about having to suddenly pick up and relocate, without having any way to contact their former students.
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The thing that stood out most to me was how they try to pick up and return to some sort of normalcy, despite the continued Russian occupation.
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INTERNATIONAL THANKSGIVING
International Learning Center Event - Nov 23, 2018.
The International Learning Center hosted "International Thanksgiving". Everyone at the event shared food from their own culture, during a group meal.
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The Meal included food from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Brazil, Nicaragua, Colombia, Japan, Russia, Mexico and more. As a Canadian I brought butter tarts, a traditional Canadian dessert. However, my favorite food was the Persian rosewater rice, supplied by an Iranian lady named Marzi.
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