When I decided to study abroad in Spain I felt prepared for the distinctive accent; we learned in our language classes at Wesleyan how the “c” could morph into a “th”, and we listened for the softness of the consonants. I took courses with several professors from Spain and knew how to distinguish between their …
(Kenzie Kelly, May 26, 2024, Retiro Park) This photo was taken one day in Retiro Park during my abroad experience in Madrid, Spain. Pictured in this Spring scene is a community band that came together to play and practice in the park. They started as only 3 musicians, but as more and more people straggled …
In the Fall of 2023 I had the privilege of working as a tutor with two students at Beman Middle School. One of my students, Esperanza, was from Mexico and the other, Eliana, was from Peru. They were coming to Middletown at completely different levels of their language learning. Esperanza demonstrated complete control of the …
2022 Post: Throughout this American Government and Politics course, my understanding of local politics and national structures evolved significantly. Initially, I viewed the U.S. political system through a conventional lens, perceiving the two-party system as a fixed and dominant framework. However, discussions around the Trump presidency, the events of January 6th, and the increasing polarization …
Throughout my experience abroad in Madrid, it came as no surprise that food culture was a cornerstone of our immersion. I had learned, through high school Spanish classes and my mom’s old stories from her study abroad in the south of Spain about the many incredible dishes; from paella, tortilla, patatas bravas, and croquetas, to …
Living in another city is more than just knowing the restaurants or public transportation; the beauty of Madrid is learned from its people. Whether it’s through reading, hiking, art, yoga, wine, or architecture, there’s always a way to pursue your interests and immerse yourself more fully in the local culture. For me, the highlight was …
In my art history class in Madrid we learned about the “Art Wars” that rippled through Europe in general, but specifically, in Italy. Later, on a trip to visit a friend in Italy, I was pointed to the same thing. Walking from site to site, my friend Andrea, our local expert, recited the history of …
Walking through the center of Madrid, the artistic and historical monuments almost jump at you as you turn the corner to a new statue or museum or public garden. Amazed by the knowledge surrounding me, I could not have found a better time to enroll myself in an art history class. Once back in the …
Using terms such as “culture”, “cultural competence”, and “cultural proficiency” can be dangerous in that they generalize non-majority cultures rather than seeing culture as a branch of individual identity. I think that the idea of “emphasizing culture in order to deemphasize injustice” is particularly important for intercultural competence and the subject of our minor. Learning …
This article reminded me of a story my mom introduced me to that highlighted how different cultures honor transgender people in their societies. In certian Pacific Island cultures, Hinduism and several other religions being transgender is magical and something to be praised and revered. I remeber first learning about this and my shock as to …
