This is a guest blog post from our student social media ambassador, Alannah. Currently studying abroad on the semester program, “New Activisms, Human Rights and Social Justice” that travels to both Guatemala and Costa Rica during the semester.
The first half of Augsburg’s CGEE New Activism, Human Rights, and Social Justice semester program took place throughout many different places in Guatemala. Our program has been filled with lots of fun and educational excursions. These activities have helped us become more knowledgeable about the Indigenous communities in the country and the struggles that they have prevailed through and continue to face. The program is specifically built in a way where we don’t just learn about the history of Guatemala through books, but through discussions with local community members, activists, artists, and families. Our Spanish classes that took place in the beginning of our program helped contribute to this and allowed us to develop our communication skills with our speakers so we wouldn’t have to purely rely on a translator. Continue reading “Learning from Indigenous Communities in Guatemala [Student Reflection]”
Embarking on this theology class, I felt like a curious explorer setting foot on uncharted territory. As someone who had never delved into the realm of theology before, I was both excited and apprehensive. Little did I know that this academic journey would unfold into a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between culture and religion. Each class became a thread, weaving together the tapestry of my understanding. The layers of insight gained were not just intellectual, but deeply spiritual, opening my eyes to the profound ways in which beliefs and traditions shape our world.
Back home, I was comfortably nestled in my circle of friends, but studying abroad in a foreign country with just six other people challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated. At first, I felt overwhelmed by the small size of our group, doubting my ability to form genuine connections amidst unfamiliar faces. Hearing stories from others about lifelong friendships forged during their study abroad experiences, I skeptically brushed them off, thinking it was just an exaggeration.