BHS Student Trip Teaches About Nicaraguan Culture and Life
This past summer, fourteen Berkeley High School students from Community Partnerships Academy (CPA), Communication Arts and Sciences (CAS), Arts and Humanities Academy (AHA), and the Green Academy (GA) — formerly School of Social Justice and Ecology, embarked on an amazing and life–altering trip to Nicaragua. These fourteen BHS students partnered with another four students from Fremont and San Jose. These students were participants in the Global Glimpse program, which is an organization that gives students from all over the Bay Area the incredible experience of taking a “glimpse” at the lives, culture, and politics of the Nicaraguan people. On their website, Global Glimpse describes themselves as a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers young people “to become the global leaders of tomorrow through a three–week summer experience in a developing country that emphasizes community service, mutual understanding and respect, and college preparation.”
Kalin Ibrahim-Bartley, a senior in CPA and a Global Glimpser this past summer, described her high–regard for the Global Glimpse program. “What appealed to me about the program was that I would be able to go [to Nicaragua] with other Bay Area youth. I knew I would be able to connect and build stronger relationships with people I already knew. The experience was so much more meaningful to me with people my age as opposed to going with my family.”
For three weeks, the students lived in the Nicaraguan district of Estelí, a small city in the mountains with only two main streets, known for their murals and culture. GA senior Sureyma Gonzalez explained the excitement of learning about Nicaraguan life. “The [Global Glimpse] trip was a great experience and chance to go to another Latin American country and learn about the difference in culture from, say, Mexico.” Gonzalez adds that in the summer of 2009, a friend of hers went on the trip to Nicaragua and her experience was “an eye–opener” which inspired Gonzalez to go on this year’s Global Glimpse trip to Estelí.
Janelle Bugarini, current AP Spanish teacher, previously a CPA Spanish teacher, and the Global Glimpse leader of this past summer’s group, explained her belief in the benefits of studying abroad. “When I was getting my Bachelors degree, traveling abroad really made my college years so much fun … Seeing the previous years’ [Global Glimpse] students and how the trip had such a positive impact on who they are made me want to be a [Global Glimpse] leader.”
Ms. Bugarini also spoke highly of how the affordability of the program makes the trip possible for almost anyone; several students were able to receive generous scholarships for the trip.
Last year’s trip was only the second time that the Global Glimpse program has been offered to Berkeley High students. The first year only CPA students traveled abroad. This past year, the number of students from Berkeley High doubled, and the opportunity was opened up to students of all four BHS small schools. Bugarini hopes that next year all students at Berkeley High, including those in Berkeley International High School (BIHS) and Academic Choice (AC), will have the opportunity to travel with Global Glimpse. She continues to work with the program, and even though she will not be traveling as a leader this upcoming summer, she encourages more teachers and students to get involved and allow the program to grow and gain more wide–spread recognition.
The activities that the students participated in in Estelí ranged from climbing mountains to visiting schools in impoverished communities, visiting a cigar factory to going to an all organic farm and holding baby goats, spending time with families in communities living under $1 a day, to going clubbing after a long day of activities. The students also took part in an activity associated with the Peace Corps which sets up Global Glimpsers to teach English to Nicaraguan youth. In Nicaragua, as in many third world countries, it is almost guaranteed that a person will make up to three times as much money if they can speak English.
Sureyma Gonzalez says the most fun experience she had in Nicaragua was “playing soccer with the kids in the communities in the pouring rain and mud.”
“I really like that Global Glimpse gave me an opportunity to connect with the native people. I felt a little less like a tourist and more like I belonged in Nicaragua,” Kalin Ibrahim–Bartley added, “[Since this trip] I want to go to many different places … I came back with a more grateful look at what I have.” Gonzalez stated, “I came back feeling more mature and grown up. I felt confident in my ability to live alone and go to college and be out of my comfort zone.” Kalin Ibrahim–Bartley agrees that, “because I have been on this trip, [I feel that I] can go to college and not be too homesick.” Gonzalez wanted to reinforce that “this trip is for anyone, I recommend it to everyone.” Global Glimpse summer of 2011 trips will soon to be announced, and trip dates and applications will be posted soon on the Global Glimpse website (www.globalglimpse.org).
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