Wednesday, 14 May 2008

Long Beach students take a broader perspective

Students speak of their journeys and global citizenship in Cambodia trip.

Daily 49er
Ericka Franklin
Issue date: 5/12/08

Students, faculty and staff came together to hear about the journey of "Becoming Global Citizens" in Cal State Long Beach's University Theatre Wednesday.

Art department professor Carlos Silveira organized a social justice community service project that placed American students in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a place that had a lifestyle the students were not used to.

One student participant, Jenna Robinson, mentioned how she realized that the faucets didn't work with ease as they do in America, and "you prayed you didn't have to go to the bathroom."

The students, however, said they gained a sense of appreciation for every simple thing taken for granted in America. The main idea of the trip was to develop more international understanding.

Cambodia was an ideal location because there is a local college that speaks English.

"We could have our students pairing up with students from Pannasastra University and they would work on several developing projects for local children," Silveira said.

"We all became more aware. We really felt like global citizens," Robinson said. "You have a first-hand experience to be with people when you think of National Geographic, and I know that sounds really funny, but you're not looking at it on the news."

One student, Amanda Manderas, became emotional and expressed feeling a sense of attachment to her group during her work in Cambodia.

"It was a life-changing experience. The joy that they got from us being there really changed my perspective on art," Manderas said.

Manderas displayed photos of students' artwork. One piece was a collage of students displaying symbols of peace with their bodies.

"To see the students recognize themselves as artists did it for me. After a year of living there, it made me really proud of my students," Manderas said.

Student works will be displayed next fall in the student art galleries on campus.

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