This post comes from Augsburg student, Kitana H, recipient of the CGEE Religious Studies Scholarship. This is her reflection from the week-long program in Nicaragua, “Faith, Vocation, and Social Change in Central America”. Thank you to Kitana for sharing!
“Today is the day where I touch a region
Where half of me is from
I’ve been so lost with my own identity
That part of this trip may open a page
Of a book of reclaiming my identity and history”
This post comes from Mary Witt Scholarship awardee and Augsburg College student, Emily O. She recently returned from an Augsburg short term program, Faith, Vocation and Social Change in Central America to Augsburg’s Global Site in Nicaragua. Thanks to Emily for sharing!
Here is my written summary, discussing 3 separate “slices of life,” or important experiences in Nicaragua and what they taught me:
My first slice of life had to do with the speaker at Cafe las Sonrisas, Tio Antonio. As someone who grew up in an area considered “developed” like me, I was shocked that he even moved to Nicaragua in the first place. After the initial confusion as to why he would move to a country where things are so different, I was amazed and inspired by the way he lived out his vocation and listened to his calling in life. Continue reading “Reflections from Nicaragua”
Augsburg students got the chance to explore Mexico on the 2017 spring break program, “Food, Justice, and Sustainability in Mexico”. Photos from faculty member Ann Lutterman-Aguilar.
From the program brochure:
Environmental Justice and social change take on a local and global perspective in this course that starts in the US, travels to Mexico over spring break, and returns to Augsburg to continue the learning. Continue reading “Auggies Spring Break in Mexico”
The following is a summary of a recent Customized Program organized by CGEE for Providence College, by student Danielle H., recipient of the Mary Witt Scholarship. This program took place in March of 2017. Photos from Danielle as well. We hope all participants had a wonderful time and learned a lot on the program!
The Global Coffee Culture Trip I took with my class, organized by Augsburg College’s Center for Global Education and Experience, was life-changing. Throughout the trip, I was immersed in Guatemala’s rich culture, history, and language. I have never become so close with people in a class in such a short period of time or learned so much in such a short period of time.
The Spring 2017 students on our Social Work and Migration, Globalization, and the Environment programs visit Ixtlilco El Grande for their home stays! Photos and text courtesy of our International Resident Assistant, Amber Ramirez.
The Center for Teaching and Learning has partnered with the Center for Global Education and Experience to bring to Augsburg faculty and staff, “Speaking of Sabbaticals with Jeanine Gregoire”. Her topic will be “Immigration, Migration and More: A yearlong journey to develop an Education semester abroad program in Mexico.”
You can find out more, and RSVP to the luncheon on CTL’s website. Friday, March 24th, 11:30-12:30pm, Marshall Room (spots limited; RSVP required).
The Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) is committed to global education and intercultural experiences. The Center greatly values diversity of peoples and exchanges of culture that expand our appreciation and deepen our understanding of one another.
We have been committed to teaching and living the values of equity and inclusion and hospitality and social justice for more than 30 years and recent executive orders from U.S. President Donald J. Trump will not cause us to falter in that commitment. While we are encouraged by the recent legal actions to these orders, we will continue to be engaged and vigilant.
Continue reading “CGEE Statement on Recent Executive Orders”
This blog post was originally presented to CGEE staff as a thank you letter. We were very touched by Stephanie’s experience, and wanted to share with others. Posted here with permission from the author, Stephanie Gonzales-Pérez. The words have not been altered in any way.
Hello,
I wanted to take the time to extend my gratitude through this letter. I am a recent alum of the CGEE Central America Program of Spring 2016. The program itself was truly life changing and as cliché as that may sound there are no other words to better describe it.
The mission of your programs is to give us another lens and to decolonize our minds which is a prime reason why I was interested in the program. Along with the constant recommendation from my study abroad advisor, Ann Butwell. Which is why I want to thank Berea College and Augsburg’s Center for Global Education and Experience because without all your help this would not have been possible. I was hesitant at first because of the cost, but both institutions provided me with scholarships that reduced the cost to nearly nothing.
Aside from how perfect the program already was due to my passion for social justice I was also drawn in because the program went to Guatemala specifically to Quetzaltenango, or also known as Xela, which is where my maternal grandmother lives. I had told my family about my trip and they were beyond ecstatic to finally meet in person after only having contact through letters, phone calls and Skype my entire life. I will be honest I had originally planned to go in the spring of 2015, but I felt guilty going and backed out because my mother has not seen my grandmother for over 25 years and it didn’t feel right to go before she did. My mother had the chance to return home; however, she made the ultimate sacrifice when I was 10 and that was not to move back to Guatemala with my father. She knew that the United States could provide us with more opportunities than her own country could. Continue reading “Meeting Family in Guatemala: An Alumni Story”
With a cup of coffee in your hand just about anything is possible! You can finish an assignment, have a great conversation or get through a tough chapter in your book… or your life! So here is the inside look on our top three favorite Cafés in Cuernavaca.
Bons Café
On one of the quaint paved streets near the cathedral in Cuernavaca lays Bons Café. Bons Café has a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. There is ample seating in indoor, outdoor and second story areas. They have a complete breakfast, lunch and dinner menu and have a varied selection of drinks. We recommend the capuchino nevado (a cappuccino with a scoop of ice cream), iced chai, and for those of us who has a sweet tooth, the oreo frappe. Continue reading “Cuernavaca Corner: Our Favorite Cafes”
This week, November 14-18, is International Education Week. This is a national celebration happening at schools across the US, and beyond.
Augsburg International Student Organization is holding a number of events this week that you are invited to attend:
Monday: International Showcase 10am-2pm in Christensen Lobby
International Auggies will be showcasing their home countries. Stop by to learn more about the diverse countries Auggies call home:
Tuesday – Study Abroad Tabling in Christensen 11am-1pm
Do you want to go abroad? We’ll have information about short-term programs coming up this summer, and how you can get started with study abroad.
Wednesday: Game Night
6-8 pm in the Christensen Student Lounge
Test your trivia skills in International Jeopardy!
Thursday: International Coffee Hour with student presentation
4-5pm Marshall Room–Coffee and snacks provided!
Malek will present Lebanon and his home school, American University of Beirut
Friday: International Dance Party
7 to 11 pm in East Commons
All Week: International Dishes in the Cafeteria!
