Expanding Our Horizons

BY ROB CHURA, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL EDUCATION, RUSSIAN TEACHER

Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, our Global Education curriculum has adapted and expanded while preparing to hopefully resume all programming this summer. It continues to thrive, benefiting our SLUH and international students through several core elements:

Clockwise from top: Russian and SLUH students show their excitement for restarting their virtual exchange; Rob Chura visited Cairo, Egypt last summer to begin a Jesuit partnership with Holy Family School; Colombian and Chilean exchange students with their SLUH host families at the farewell banquet. Above: A SLUH senior works on a community farm in Taiwan as part of his Senior Project requirement. Below: SLUH students and faculty participate in the Kino Border Project in Nogales, Mexico, during spring break.

LANGUAGE IMMERSION EXCHANGES

Each of our five Modern Languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) has one or more devoted language immersion exchange programs with a global partner where that language is spoken. SLUH students live with host families, study their language intensively, and truly immerse themselves in the culture and realities of their global peers. All programs include a reciprocal visit from the partner schools to SLUH – another extremely rewarding experience for all involved. Also, virtual exchanges were recently added to all language programs to allow this same authentic collaboration and sharing year-round. In the spirit of the Jesuit order, being “called to the frontiers,” adding international service to our global and language initiatives has been a perfect fit with our mission. Senior Project has seen more international options each year. Service projects in Egypt, France, Guatemala, Russia and Taiwan have successfully operated for several years already. In addition, spring break service programs in Honduras and Mexico are wonderful opportunities for SLUH underclassmen to use their gifts in the service of others all over the globe.

SERVICE IMMERSION PROGRAMS

EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAMS

Many academic departments at SLUH have found creative ways to incorporate a global project into their curriculum. The theology department’s Ignatian Pilgrimage, the Ireland Archeological Dig sponsored by the social studies department, and the Iceland STEM program overseen by the science department are just a few recent examples.

Above: Zach Brugnara ‘21 presents his project at the UN Change Makers Conference. Right: Students and faculty from 19 Jesuit schools and 12 countries participate in the first Jesuit Global Activism Leadership Summit, created by SLUH in March 2021. Top left: SLUH students and faculty celebrate Mass on the Ignatian Pilgrimage to Italy and France. Above: Dr. Tom Finan ‘85 examines a sample at his ongoing archeological dig in Ireland.

SCHOOL-WIDE ONE WORLD CLUB EVENTS

Global education opportunities abound and don’t always require a trip abroad. Our One World Club creates in-house and domestic global experiences that all SLUH students can participate in. Recent examples include the inaugural Jesuit Global Activism Leadership Summit, begun by SLUH this past spring, as well as expert speakers, cultural celebrations and local UN-sponsored initiatives.