Augsburg students – would you like more information on your options to study abroad or study away in the USA? Join us for an information session at any of these times during the fall 2015 semester:
Mondays at 10:40 am & 3:40 pm
Tuesdays at at 11:30 am
Wednesdays at 3:15 pm
Thursdays at 11:30 am & 3:40 pm
Fridays at 10:40 am
Sessions are 20 minutes in length, and cover the basics of study abroad for students at Augsburg College (finances, choosing a program, policies, etc.). No appointment necessary. Sessions are held at the international/multicultural suite in the lower level of Christiansen Center.
From Dead Man Walking to an Oasis of Hope in Nicaragua: Responding to the call of the Gospel, Supporting the Friends of Batahola, Social Justice and Building Community.
Cost: $20 general admission/$15 for students with ID. Augsburg College students, faculty, and staff free with Augsburg ID.Purchase your tickets online now.
All proceeds go to the Friends of Batahola Organization, to support the work of the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte, in Managua, Nicaragua.
Saturday, September 26th, 2015
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Hoversten Chapel Augsburg College
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454
Light refreshments will be served during the reception portion of the evening. Items available for purchase to raise funds for the Cultural Center, as well as Sister Helen’s Books. Parking will be available (details coming soon!).
On Sunday, August 9th, Augsburg College’s Dean of Global Education, Eric Canny, will join Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and a delegation of 36 representatives of Minnesota businesses, agriculture industry, and education institutions on a trade mission to Mexico City and Guadalajara. From the press release, “During their visit, the delegation will meet with high-ranking Mexican business leaders and government officials, explore trade and investment opportunities, and renew common ties between Mexico and Minnesota.”
You can follow the mission on Twitter with #GovTradeMission.
Augsburg College has operated a campus in Cuernavaca, Mexico since 1979.
Our group was able to participate in an exchange with the National School of Social Work at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) from April 6-10. We participated in many activities during this week-long exchange. The campus is huge; I’m sure we didn’t even see half of it. In our time spent at UNAM, we were able to receive a tour of the central campus and learn more about the murals. The murals that we saw during our tour were located in the part of campus that they call the cultural center.
We also sat in on a class and the professor spoke about values. Sitting in the classroom, we were able to see the differences in what we consider appropriate in the class and what we think is not appropriate. We were also reminded of the cultural contexts we were in and took time to brainstorm about the reasons why we felt uneasy about what we witnessed. We had visits to two different practicum sites. One of the practicum sites was set at a community level and the other at the specialization level. Another tour we were able to participate in was of their musical arts. We learned about their different theaters, museums, and sat in on an orchestra’s practice session. Other activities of the week included a visit to their botanical garden, Frida Kahlo museum, and a boat ride at Xochimilco a lake in Mexico City. The most interesting part of our visit for me was hearing about their School of Social Work curriculum, which will be focused on in the next blog.
This post was written by CGEE staff member Lucy Hardaker, who works at the Minneapolis office at Augsburg College.
When I traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico this April, I got a glimpse of the life of a CGEE student in Mexico. I landed at the Mexico City airport, where the CGEE driver, Ismael, came to pick me up. He was incredibly friendly, and chatted with me during our 2 hour drive to Cuernavaca, and taught me about Mexico. As a Cuernavaca native, he is very knowledgeable about the region and culture!
For the next two (intensive) days, I observed and participated in the student semester experience. I visited an elementary school where our students intern teaching English, visited a host family, got a tour of the town, participated in class activities, saw guest speakers, and met the students from UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) who spend two weeks with the social work students.
Cuernavaca is a very balanced and accessible city in which to study. It’s not an overly large or sprawling city, but it is also not too small – it has many great shops, cafes, events, and theaters to keep students busy. It’s not “touristy”, so you can get the full Mexico cultural experience. And perhaps one other wonderful perk – it’s BEAUTIFUL!
Aside from the city being marvelous for a study abroad experience, the staff on site are also wonderful people. Each one brings their own expert knowledge and insight about Mexican culture, the town of Cuernavaca, and their respective academic disciplines. They are all kind-hearted and fun-loving, and I had an absolute blast getting to meet them in person!
Who wouldn’t want this great experience in a cool town with fun people?! Thanks to the entire Cuernavaca team for making my visit memorable.
This post was written by CGEE staff member Lucy Hardaker, who works at the Minneapolis office at Augsburg College.
The CGEE Central America semester students are some of the busiest study abroad students around. Not only are they going through an experiential program, but they are doing so amid a busy travel schedule! It was always difficult for me to fully grasp what a “Day in the Life” of a student must be like, but after my short visit to Nicaragua, I am beginning to understand.
First up was a full day of Nicaraguan sightseeing in the cities of Granada and Masaya, including the Masaya Volcano. This was a great introduction for both me and the students, as they had just arrived from Costa Rica only a few days earlier.
The next day, I learned what the academics of CGEE are all about. Students began the day with discussion, and then were taken to a local non-profit center (Coordinadora Civil), where we listened to a guest panel about getting the local youth involved with their country’s politics and social movements.
After lunch, I was given a tour of the Batahola Norte neighborhood where CGEE semester students stay while in Managua. Ruth Garrido guided me around multiple host families’ homes. Although I do not speak Spanish (Ruth translated for me), it was clear to see from happiness on each one of their faces that they thoroughly enjoyed hosting students.
The next day, I saw experiential education in action. Class began with a short film on the history of Augusto Sandino, followed by a discussion about the film, and a previously assigned reading. After the discussion, students were brought to Loma de Tiscapa – the site on which Sandino was executed, where there now stands a monument to him that watches over the entire city.
After only a few short days with CGEE Central America Students, I was finally able to see why our programs are so transformative with my own two eyes. Not only were the Central America staff some of the most friendly, welcoming, and dedicated individuals I have ever met, but the knowledge of the region’s history and culture combined with experiential education model is one of the best ways for students to truly understand the culture in which they are studying.
Words and photos from CGEE-Mexico Spring student, Tim Bishop.
A few weeks ago, the CGEE crew went to Hacienda Panoaya, the childhood home of Sor Juana Inez De La Cruz. If you don’t know who she is, please look her up – she is a truly spectacular human being and deserves to be known.
We did many things, from touring her house and grounds to getting lost in a maze. My personal favorite was the house of birds, where tiny little flapping-things would flit from ceiling to floor and sit on you.
