Randi Larson
News Editor
PHOTOS BY DR. EDDIE HENDERSON | During 2008, education graduate students studied the history, culture, religion, art and architecture of Southeast Asia and then traveled to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia to help tribal children.
The “Go Global” program is part of the College of Education and Social Sciences
“Go Global” offers students the chance to expand their horizons simultaneously through travel and community services, helping others in an attempt to better the global community.
The first faculty-led trip was to central Mexico in 2006.
During the trip, students and faculty worked at a home for abandoned and negleted children ages four through 15.
The next “Go Global” sponsored trip is scheduled for June 12 through June 23, to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, and offers credits for education courses, criminal justice courses, as well as graduate credits.
“Our focus here isn’t necessarily tourism; our students can give and experience rich cultural opportunities,” Cindy Lewis, education instructor and faculty sponsor, said.
Regardless of the job the students go into, they can learn in a more personal way than they could’ve before [by going on the trip].”
The trip is also the first one that the criminal justice department has been able to participate in.
PHOTOS BY DR. EDDIE HENDERSON | During 2008, education graduate students studied the history, culture, religion, art and architecture of Southeast Asia and then traveled to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia to help tribal children.
“This is something very unique for the students in the criminal justice program to explore,” Dr. Harry Hueston, associate professor of criminal justice and faculty sponsor, said.
This traveling opportunity, while a wonderful tourism experience, is also imbued with a mission as well: this is a repeat visit to San Miguel de Allende.
By returning to the same place with several different groups of students, the hope is that the consistency will benefit those in San Miguel de Allende.
While in Mexico, the criminal justice department also plans to help further its students’ appreciation of the American justice system.
“We’re looking forward to the chance to sit and talk to federal, state, local and tourist police forces, touring the police department and see the different types of equipment and training,” Hueston said.
It’s a learning experience; comparing the Mexican criminal justice system to the American as well as the treatment of those in their criminal justice system versus ours.”
Both Dr. Eddie Henderson, dean of College of Education and Social Sciences, and Dr. Angela Spaulding, associate dean of College of Education and Social Sciences, have worked to promote the “Go Global” initiative at WT.
A proposed program expansion will include programs in criminal justice, sociology and social work in the future.