Faculty
Report:Office of International Programs Grant-Alternative Spring Break-Mexico,
Spring 2001
Name: Pat
Washington
Faculty/Rank: Assistant
Professor
Department: Women’s
Studies
College: Arts and
Letters
Office phone: 594-6662
Other phone: 582-5383
E mail address: washing3@mail.sdsu.edu
Proposal title: San Diego State University Alternative
Spring Break-Mexico,
Spring 2001
Institution visited: Rancho
San Juan Bosco, home and vocational school for orphaned and abandoned boys in
Tecate.
Dates of travel: March 11–17, 2001
Number of student participants: 15
Previous IP proposals submitted and grants awarded:
“Proposal to Fund Development of Collaborative Teaching/Research Efforts with
ENVILA Women’s Non-governmental Institute in Belarus,” December 5- 15, 2000.
Have all required reports been submitted? Yes
Other funding for this activity available/applied for: Adams Humanities Grant, Aztec Parents Grant, Center for Community–Based Service Learning, Associated Students
Proposal Abstract (75 word maximum): Under the auspices of the University’s Center for Community-Based Service Learning (CCBSL), Alternative Spring Break-Mexico 2001 (ASB-Mexico) was the first alternative break program offered through SDSU. Immersed in a culture that vastly differed from their own, 15 students performed approximately 8 hours of service per day at Rancho San Juan Bosco, a boys’ orphanage in Tecate. This service element was balanced by an academic component that included nightly discussions of course pack readings, as well as post-trip presentations to campus groups and a final integrative essay detailing personal and academic growth.
Travel report:
I.
Opening/overview
of intentions/activity
ASB-Mexico had several educational and community-based service
objectives. The educational objectives included 1) promoting multicultural
education and creative expression through readings/discussions and
reflection activities, 2) providing
opportunities for students to practice Spanish speaking skills in a supportive
environment, and 3) enhancing connected learning and civic responsibility
through community engagement. The
community service objectives included engaging students in three areas of need
identified by Rancho San Juan Bosco: 1) repairing and painting buildings, 2)
conducting English classes for youth at the orphanage, and 3) clearing/leveling
a former trash site for the construction of a chicken coop.
Another overall goal of ASB-Mexico was to serve as a successful pilot for
a broad range of alternative break programs at SDSU that would promote service
on the local, regional, national and international levels by heightening
students’ social awareness and promoting commitment to life-long service.
II. In preparation for the trip abroad
Renee Sterk and other CCBSL staff made the initial contact with Rancho San Juan Bosco, Aztec Adventures and Third World Adventures.
Project directors and CCBSL staff reviewed applications and interviewed student applicants for ASB-Mexico. Professor Ron Young interviewed each student selected for the program prior to pre-trip activities.
Project directors Renee Sterk, Ronald Young and Pat Washington collaborated with Aztec Adventures, Consultant David Robertson, and Third World Opportunities to organize and execute pre-trip activities that included teambuilding activities; pre-trip readings; and documentaries and lectures introducing students to pertinent social, political, and cultural issues, as well as acquainting them with U.S./Mexico relations. Project directors also developed an ASB-Mexico course pack for the academic component of ASB program. Additionally, during the pre-trip phase, students were divided into teams (A-E) to facilitate the execution of daily service activities, as well as to distribute leadership roles for the nightly academic components of the trip.
During the day, student teams rotated among the three community service activities, thereby allowing each student to participate in all activities. During the evenings, students and trip leaders Sterk and Washington participated in activities that included an icebreaker, reading and discussion of at least one article from the ASB-Mexico course pack, a group activity, and journal entry.
Student teams were responsible for several activities including 1) leading one evening of ASB’s theme-based discussion and reflection, 2) creating a Talent Show performance piece, and 3) devising a preliminary list of potential organizations or other campus groups for delivering a 15-30 minute presentation upon return to SDSU (and before the conclusion of the semester). The nightly themes included “Political Issues in Mexico,” “Oppression and Resistance,” Diversity Awareness,” “Art as Social Resistance,” and a “’So What?’ Reflection.” Trip leaders Sterk and Washington assisted teams in the planning and execution of their daily and nightly duties and participated fully in all activities.
Dr. Ron Young reviewed all curricular materials, participated in pre- and post-trip deliberations, and assisted in grading final essays. One unit of Spanish academic credit was assigned to each student participant, with grades based on fulfillment of ASB-Mexico duties and responsibilities, quality and detail of on-campus presentations about ASB-Mexico, and quality of final integrative essays..
Although ASB-Mexico 2001 concluded on March 17, 2001, Sterk and Washington continued to facilitate collaborative work between Rancho San Juan Bosco and SDSU students—including the development of a community-based service learning course component involving projects between Washington’s fall 2001 women’s studies courses and Rancho San Juan Bosco. Additionally, in keeping with the goal of making ASB-Mexico a pilot program, Sterk, Washington and Professor Isidro Ortiz (Chicana/o Studies) are currently developing an ASB opportunity for Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, that will build upon student interest generated by ASB-Mexico, as well as already established networks in Limon.
The total cost of ASB–Mexico was approximately $10,000. The fifteen students who participated in this program enjoyed a fun, educational, drug- and alcohol-free community-based learning experience that was financed by the following SDSU community stakeholders: Office of International Programs, Aztec Parents, Adams Humanities Immigrant Program and the Center for Community-Based Service Learning.
ASB-Mexico demonstrated that alternative break programs have broad appeal from parents, students, administrators and faculty. ASB-Mexico not only contributed to SDSU’s ongoing efforts to build international relationships with Mexico and other countries, it also met the goals of the SDSU Alcohol Task Force and Aztec Parents in creating opportunities to engage students in safe and meaningful alternative break activities.
Students benefited from the opportunity to grow emotionally, socially and academically. They enjoyed opportunities to become more aware of community issues and cultural differences. They had an opportunity to become more familiar with political, social and economic issues in Mexico, as well as to practice their Spanish language skills orally and in writing.
Based on student feedback, there is a strong interest in continued engagement with community-based service learning opportunities in Mexico, as well as other international venues.
ASB-Mexico has opened the door for enhanced participation of students in international activities across disciplinary and departmental lines because ASB:
• is interdisciplinary in course content and community foci,
• of limited duration,
• occurs outside of the regular academic semester,
• is made affordable to students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds through grant funding,
• involves educational activities within a community context that allows students to test course content in a hands on manner,
• can be orchestrated by a broad range of faculty teams,
• appeals to a broad-base of SDSU campus constituencies,
• and affords students an opportunity to become more knowledgeable of international issues in a safe and structured environment while also incorporating opportunities for students to build on existing academic, communication, and community-oriented skills.
Student evaluations of ASB-Mexico were overwhelmingly positive. With few exceptions, students spoke of ASB-Mexico as a life-changing experience that enhanced their understanding of themselves and U.S./Mexico politics, social issues and concerns.
Project Directors and other interested
parties will build on student support for ASB-Mexico by showcasing the funding
partners who made ASB-Mexico possible (news articles, presentations, etc.),
fueling student interest in community-based service learning by integrating a
CBSL component involving Rancho San Juan Bosco into existing course work, and
assisting CCBSL in developing other short-term projects that involve areas in
Mexico and elsewhere around the world.
V. Additional Information
1.
Excerpts from student evaluations
2. Copies
of course materials
3. Copies of Alternative Spring Break Activities
Schedule
4. Photographs from Alternative Spring Break
Activities
5. Copies of articles about ASB-Mexico from
various publications
6. Copy of Final Integrative Essay Evaluation
Criteria
7. Roster of Student participants and grades
All information
should be sent to The Office of International Programs via e-mail:
oip@mail.sdsu.edu
cc: Dr. Susan Cayleff, Chair Department of
Women’s Studies
Teddi Brock, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Women’s Studies
Renee Sterk, Coordinator, Center for Community –Based Service Learning
Dr. Ron Young, Professor Spanish
Dr. Isidro Ortiz, Professor, Chicana/o Studies Department