Thirty five participants, consisting of students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补, and public and private school teachers from across Hawaiʻi, completed a 1-month summer study abroad program in Barcelona, Spain.
The program focused on the historical evolution and contemporary challenges facing education related to immigration, socio-economic inequality, gentrification, ethnic and language diversity, religious intolerance, climate change and gender discrimination. Participants earned six credits for the program.
The courses and field experiences established parallels and points of connection between Hawaiʻi and the region where Barcelona is located (Catalonia). Both regions have experienced colonization and are characterized by unique cultural and language traditions.
The program was under the direction of (COE) (EDEF) Professor Donald Brent Edwards Jr. Four EDEF doctoral students also contributed to program leadership: Davide Samulski, Akie Kozuka, Patricia Grillet and James Parker.
Exploration, reflection, conversation
“This program drew on a range of resources and approaches, from guest speakers to documentaries, museum visits, walking tours, group presentations, small group discussion, and full-day excursions within and outside of Barcelona,” said Edwards. “The focus on education was solidified through multiple visits to schools of different types. From museums and historic squares to guided walking tours, every step was meaningful!”
Participants explored approximately 30 historic sites, including Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, the Gracia neighborhood, the Catalonia National Art Museum, Montserrat and more. For their assignments, students produced analytic reflections, oral presentations and lesson plans that brought the academic, personal and experiential dimensions of the program into conversation.
“I gained a much deeper understanding of what being a global citizen looks like with community at the heart of it,” said Zoe Zepeda, a 糖心视频 惭ā苍辞补 undergraduate student majoring in English literature.
Ittai Wong, a Hawaiʻi teacher and EDEF PhD student, added, “As I learned to read Barcelona, I began to reread Hawaiʻi, finding connections across education, language, culture, identity and place. Professionally, I return inspired to interrogate not only what I teach, but how I teach: to center ʻike (knowledge), moʻolelo (stories), pilina (connection), and the whole selves of my students.”