Ten Florida State University students from the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) spent eight weeks in South Africa this summer during the inaugural CARE Global Learning Community in partnership with International Programs.
Students stayed in the dynamic university city of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa, where they participated in Zulu language classes, explored local customs and food and held full-time internships with local organizations and institutions.
CARE serves high-achieving students who may face distinct challenges due to a variety of circumstances and life experiences, including first-generation students and students with demonstrated financial need.
“The CARE Global Learning Community was an incredible opportunity for me as a first-generation college student to travel to the other side of the world and learn in an environment where the landscape, social norms and culture were different from anything I had experienced before,” said Richaud Jean, an athletic training student.
Jean interned with an organization that offers housing and rehabilitation assistance for young men who have dealt with drug addiction and other challenging life circumstances.
“This program allowed me to grow professionally, strengthen my leadership skills and become more adaptable as I lived and worked in South Africa,” Jean said. “Most importantly, it gave me the opportunity to build meaningful connections with people from different backgrounds, many of whom I still stay connected with today.”
Ana Fernandez Reinoso, a computer science and criminology student, worked at a public interest law firm for her internship.
“The South Africa trip was very meaningful to me and provided me with an opportunity to gain work experience overseas and also learn a lot more about myself,” she said. “I came out of it with amazing friendships, unbelievable adventures and great work experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Jaden Juarez, an economics and international affairs student, worked at The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), a civil society organization focused on conflict resolution, mediation and peacebuilding efforts throughout the African continent.
“I can say with certainty it was the best summer of my life,” Juarez said. “This experience will always hold a special place in my heart for allowing me to grow so much as a person, for exposing me to different ideas and perspectives and for shaping me into who I one day hope to become.”
Students also traveled throughout the country, visiting its two largest cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town; a game reserve, where they saw elephants and other animals; and Boulders Beach, known for its protected colony of wild African penguins.
CARE instructional specialist Emily Leyava led the international education program and taught two courses. In the spring before the trip, she taught “Special Topics in Higher Education,” which helped prepare students with foundational knowledge such as health and safety, ethical engagement with global communities, intercultural communication and adjustment to unfamiliar environments. In South Africa, she taught “Experiential Learning Abroad,” designed to support students with their learning while abroad.
“One thing that was really special about these students — and I heard this from the staff and the team we were working with in South Africa — was the students really were very bonded as a cohort and built a sense of community,” she said. “Having that shared experience of being students in the CARE department, coming from some similar programs, really helped them connect and be able to lean on one another more.”
The students were supported in part by private donors and Dr. Jai’s Explorer Fund, which helps remove barriers for high-performing first-generation students who pursue transformative experiences beyond the classroom.
“We are so proud of our students for their hard work and engagement with the CARE Global Learning Community program, and to the staff, faculty and supporters who helped make it possible,” said Austin McDonald, director of CARE and assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies. “Experiential learning can have a lifelong impact, and I know our students have grown immensely by participating in this incredible opportunity.”
The CARE Global Learning Community program is administered through International Programs, which provides quality international learning environments and opportunities for students. To learn more about the program, visit the International Programs website. For more information about CARE, visit the CARE website.
To learn more about FSU’s global footprint, visit the FSU Global website.
