Study Away is offering students the chance to travel to El Espino, El Salvador for 10 days this summer to learn about Latin American politics and step into a new perspective.
Study Away students will learn about the politics of Latin America with a focus on El Salvador, taking part in a trip to the country from July 5-14.
The course will be taught by Dr. Holly Oberle, a professor in the political science department who specializes in international politics and gender studies. Oberle plans to explore El Salvador’s capital city with students, visiting museums, a college campus, and possibly the US Embassy. Students will also take dancing and cooking lessons and will be hosted in a homestay with local Salvadoran families.
Expenses will be paid in part by the Foundation for Cultural Exchange (FCE) to help minimize costs for students. Oberle estimates that students will be expected to pay around $1,900 for the trip.
If you’re interested in joining the course and the trip to El Espino in mid-July, contact Oberle for more information.
This year marks the 20th anniversary for the FCE, an organization founded by Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout. Stout was then a student at Mesa State College who came back from her trip “completely changed.” Her experience in El Salvador transformed her and set her on a path that has defined her life.
That there is “something very profound about being in this place where people had so few resources but this abundance of generosity and willingness to receive us in their homes…they didn’t really hold back in the hospitality they offered,” Stout said about the magic of El Salvador.
Stout was inspired by her trip to start the FCE and establish Grand Junction’s sister-city relationship as a way to share her experience and community with as many people as possible.
Stout will be joining Oberle and CMU students in El Salvador to celebrate this 20 year relationship. Both Oberle and Stout agree that international travel can be transformative for students.
“Any field of study can be enhanced by having a different perspective and getting out of your comfort zone,” emphasized Oberle. “If you stay in your comfort zone most of your life, then it’s easy to assume that everybody kind of thinks like you and you’d be forgiven for thinking that but it’s just not true.”
Oberle discussed how the trip is a fantastic opportunity for students, as it can develop their understanding of international politics on a large scale as well as on the more personal, local level and how it affects the lives of people just like ourselves The sister city relationship can open conversations about immigration.
“There’s a lot of conversation going on about migration right now and people are coming from that part of the world to the border,” Oberle said. “and without getting too political, I think it’s just important to see where some of these people are actually coming from.”
Stout explained how studying abroad can change your perspective.
“Your world is only as big as the world you can see,” Stout explained. “You learn not just that things are different but in some cases things are the same… it shows you your world in a different way and gives you a deeper appreciation for the world you inhabit.”
