Study Abroad

I don’t want to leave Derry and the country of Northern Ireland. As many times as I joked about being a stowaway, there may have been some truth to it. I have been so happy in Northern Ireland. I have learned so much and connected with so many people who, in the past, I never would have given a second glance. I’ve learned so much about myself that I don’t even know who I was in the U.S. before coming over.  Read More »

Something we’ve learned this semester is that sustainability consists of economic, environmental, social, spatial, and time components. Culture is created by the spatial and time aspects and, in turn, influences and is influenced by the economic, environmental, and social aspects. In other words, culture is embedded within the very concept of sustainability and, therefore, must be acknowledged in any sort of decision making. Read More »

Paolo’s connection to the land and animals goes beyond consumer preference or cost-effectiveness. Like many Italian farmers we have met, Paolo inspires me to consider my values and their impact on my actions. Small, sustainable farmers like him give me hope in our future. Read More »

"Everything we learn supplements each other as if bridges are being built in my mind. I learned how to say eggplant in Italian and then I’m cooking it in the kitchen. I planted fennel in the garden and then I’m understanding the food sovereignty of agroecology. I visited a local farm and then I’m asking farmers how the Common Agriculture Policy impacts their agricultural practices. More than half of what I’ve learned since being here was learned outside of the classroom among the farmers, their land, and its culture." Read More »

"Observing how culture is taught to children in PUL communities is significant to me because of how some adults and scholars have spoken about PUL. I think it’s important for me to formulate my own understanding of the PUL community by debunking the many assumptions I have heard from others in and outside the community." Read More »

"Arriving in Belfast at the BHD airport was something I had been waiting anxiously for all year. I was scared that I was going to receive an email saying that Covid had, once again, disrupted my plans to study abroad." Lawrence University student, Josey McClain, tells us about her first days in Northern Ireland and her commitment to learning all she can from the people of this beautiful and complex land. Read More »

In this series of HECUA at 50, we will be featuring alumni, consortium members and other community members whose stories weave together to tell the story of who we are, where we’ve […] Read More »

Collaboration with community partners brings HECUA’s model of transformational learning to life. We know that the 12-15 hours a week that students spend interning with a local organization is just […] Read More »

Each term, one participant from each HECUA program takes on the role of student blogger, sending regular dispatches from the field. AV Lee-A-Yong is HECUA’s student blogger for the Conflict, Peace, […] Read More »

Each term, one participant from each HECUA program takes on the role of student blogger, sending regular dispatches from the field. Samantha Johnson is HECUA’s student blogger for New Zealand: Culture […] Read More »