Learn Globally - Making International Travel Possible

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” --- St. Augustine As the teacher of Spanish I feel that my job is not just to show my high school students how to speak a second language, but to help them begin to open their eyes to the world around them to show them that the world does not end beyond their front door, the school or even their city or country. The opportunity to travel shows students that learning doesn't just happen in the classroom and doesn't stop at any age. For the past semester I have been working with a group of twelve of our Spanish students to plan and fundraise for a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. It is an amazing trip where students live with Mexican families, take Spanish classes, visit ancient ruins, participate in salsa and cooking lessons, and truly experience what it is like to live in a culture other than their own.

My students realize that they are very lucky to have an opportunity like their trip to Mexico. But, more importantly they know that other students may not ever have the chance to travel abroad. They have decided that they want to change this. In the weeks after they return, the group of students who are traveling to Oaxaca will change their focus from fundraising for themselves to helping make international travel a possibility for all students in their school. They know the importance that studying a foreign language and having a more global view will help the not only help them prepare for college, but for their entire lives. Their plan has two components. First, sharing their experiences with their fellow students by giving presentations in their language classes, and in larger presentations to underclassmen. Second, they want to help start a fund to help subsidize the cost of trips abroad so that more students will consider the trip. They plan on doing this by joining with the International Club at the school and sponsoring an "International Festival" which will raise funds for travel scholarships for low income students.

To make my students' dreams come true, they need the supplies to get them started. In order to make their project successful they need art supplies, picture books, and other materials to begin making their presentations. It is important that they look professional and prepared when they share their stories with their fellow students, parents, and the community. My group of students has the dream of making international travel a possibility for all the students in their school. They understand the power that a trip like theirs can have, not just on the individual student, but the entire school community. Students coming back and sharing their experiences are helping build a globally aware and concerned community.

You can help ensure that my students' passion for learning about the world around them does not end with them. Your help with their project will help them realize how important this project is to their school and community, and how their hard work does make a difference.