Students go "Beyond the Classroom" to Jamaica

Every year, International Education Week is celebrated nationally in November. Events at the University of South Carolina this year ranged from workshops to aid in international job searches to learning dances from around the world. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, community members gathered at the Russell House ballroom to view a student documentary whose purpose was to educate the public about the importance of service learning and studying abroad, as well as to learn more about the island nation of Jamaica.

"Beyond the Classroom: Jamaica" is the latest installment of the study-abroad film series. It is about the experience of 10 students who spent last spring break participating in a service- learning trip and immersing themselves in Jamaican culture in the rural town of Petersfield. It was sponsored by International Programs, the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies, Preston Residential College and TRIO Programs, which serves first-generation students with the highest level of financial aid need. The unlikely partnership arose when Paul Beasley, director of TRIO Programs sponsored three Opportunity Scholar students to go on the trip.

"The journalism course has been a wonderful experience both in and out of the classroom," said Beasley.

The 10 students who went on the trip to Jamaica ranged from freshman to seniors and journalism to biology majors. The documentary began with the students cleaning and painting a school and singing traditional Jamaican songs while they worked. A local man spoke about how Hurricane Gilbert wreaked havoc on their village in 1988. He said they appreciated how volunteers fixed up the area and made it a better place for the community and, especially, the children.

Jamaican families opened their homes to the students during their stay. One cultural difference noted was that Jamaicans eat big breakfasts - with foods like chicken and dumplings! One student remarked that the best part was waking up every morning to his housemom saying, "My son, breakfast is served." Another student, Rico McClanahan, observed that family values are the same whether you are in the U.S. or Jamaica. He feels that studying abroad opened his mind and thinks that everyone should do it at some point.

"The best part is the service-learning aspect," said McClanahan. "America is privileged and we need to help others."

The students helped in a variety of ways during their stay, doing everything from teaching computer skills and giving speeches in schools to learning traditional dances. They toured a sugarcane factory to learn about the industry that is crucial to the country. It was evident that the students especially enjoyed meeting all of the local children and playing games like "net ball," which, as student Erika Aparicio described, was like "if ultimate Frisbee and basketball had a baby, that would be it." The candid video had the audience smiling the whole time.

Journalism professor Keith Kenney led the trip and designed the course. He said that making the documentary "was all fun, although challenging at times." The students had little to no journalism or technical experience, so everyone had to learn as they went in a very short amount of time. He states that the students also came home with new self-confidence.

"They now have the ability to maneuver in a foreign culture," said Kenney.

Kenney hopes that the audience who saw the film could see that the experience was a lot of fun, but that they will also appreciate study abroad programs and understand how worthwhile they are.

Amy Weinstein, who came to the event to support her friends who went on the trip, thought it was a fun and interesting documentary.

"I loved it, it was funny and uplifting," said Weinstein. "I learned that study abroad is more than just learning."

Kenney also feels that the students benefited from first learning about Jamaica and then actually immersing themselves in the culture.

"The students saw a healthy community with good values," said Kenney. "There was a community club in Petersfield with members ranging from age seven to 70. America is a more individualistic society, so the students could witness the advantages of a small community."

Kenney hopes that students will take part in more study-abroad opportunities during their time at the University. He thinks that freshman can especially benefit from this type of course, because they do not usually have the opportunity for this level of bonding and interactivity in their usual classes.

For more information about the University's study abroad programs, visit http://www.sa.sc.edu/sa/

By: Becky Wiens