On November 8, the Center for Service and Global Citizenship announced its 2022 faculty-led travel programs that are set to run during Long Winter Weekend and March break.
Due to travel restrictions, the CSGC is limiting its travel options to only United States territories, and is adjusting its curriculum to focus on international impact. This scope is specifically honed in on places within the U.S., allowing students the opportunity to explore the shifting realities of the wider world and develop new perspectives without leaving the country.
During Long Winter Weekend, the program is hosting a trip to Washington D.C. to examine different regional cultures. In the spring, students will also study problems like food and water insecurity in Puerto Rico, study Marine ecology and conservation in Florida, and more. While the destination of each program may differ from that of years prior, the CSGC is working to recreate the experiences offered pre-pandemic.
Associate Director for the Center of Service and Global Citizenship and Director of 2022 Travel Programs Heather Brown said that COVID-19 shouldn’t interfere too much with the trips. Students will still have many “hands on” opportunities, but they may simply have to be more cautious when interacting with new people and be mindful of the national health guidelines set in place at the time.
Kathrine Margulis ‘24, who hopes to go on a CSGC trip, shared, “I am currently taking Spanish, and I believe that the CSGC trip to Puerto Rico is the perfect opportunity for me to not only hone my linguistic skills, but it also provides me with the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities within sustainability and development, while considering the roles of tourism and government.”
Rosnel Leyva-Cortes ‘22, who plans to apply for the San Francisco trip, said, ‘They.. have one of the oldest and most established Chinatowns in the nation, and some of the most rapidly changing technologies and business innovations in Silicon Valley. This fits my interests perfectly, as I have always been passionate about robotics and technology. As the trip focuses on Chinese culture, immigration history, and how that fueled the flourishing of entrepreneurs and technological innovations, I am looking forward to immersing myself among the experts, and hope to learn from them by connecting with them and hearing their stories.
Mrs. Brown said, “I am confident that the travel programs can add value to the Deerfield experience of the students who apply and go on these trips, regardless of COVID, and that students will still be able to understand their roles as leaders and citizens in this world.”