East Stroudsburg University Students Spent Spring Break Learning Abroad

Traditionally a time to rest and recharge, spring break served as a rewarding learning opportunity for students in three East Stroudsburg University programs.

Costa Rica, Guatemala and a cruise bound for the Bahamas became classrooms for the groups as they applied critical skills, learned from industry professionals and immersed themselves in other cultures.

HRTM cruise to the Bahamas

While going on a cruise to the Bahamas over spring break might not be unusual for college students, those in ESU’s hospitality, recreation and tourism management program’s Cruise Ship Management course made their ocean excursion a learning experience.

Students Julia Gallo, Eddie Heron, Kiondre Kenner, Eric Paruta, Jessica Staeckeler and Kinsey Walturz spent a week aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship learning about an industry rapidly rising in popularity.

“Cruising is growing exponentially,” said Assistant Professor of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Management Chuck Meitner, Ph.D. “It makes sense for these students to be aware of that as a potential career.”

The cruise departed on March 8 from New York, traveled to Port Canaveral, Florida, then headed to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas. The liner then visited Bimini, also in the Bahamas, before making its return voyage on March 15.

Meitner said the trip gave students exposure to different cultures, cuisines, and ways of life while also providing a rare, first-hand glimpse at the inner workings of a major cruise liner.

“There’s about 2,000 crew members and 4,500 passengers on a cruise ship – that’s 6,500 meals three times a day,” Meitner said. “How does a cruise ship prepare that? How does a crew handle getting all the passengers on board, or taking them on short excursions, or keeping them from getting bored? They saw how that all operates.”

Students received tours of the cruise liner’s restaurants and kitchens, as well as a private tour of the bridge. They also had to complete daily assignments in addition to work that was due after the trip.

For Walturz, the trip was her opportunity to experience a cruise from a brand-new perspective. No stranger to being a traditional passenger, this perspective gave her an appreciation for all the behind-the-scenes work it takes to provide passengers with a memorable getaway, she said.

“Every time I’ve ever gone on a cruise, I always feel so naturally myself,” Walturz said. “This time I was able to experience it from the workers’ perspective, noticing all they do and seeing how happy they are. I’m convinced it’s the best job and I really want to pursue it.”

Sport Management in Costa Rica

Through meetings with professional soccer organizations, local government agencies, and adventure tourism businesses in Costa Rica, sport management students explored how sports shape culture and drive economic growth.

Students Brianna Anderson, Link Collum, Ryan Freed, Tyler Gomolinski, Gianna Mascaro and Jared Salazar were joined by Assistant Professor of Sport Management Edward Arner, Ph.D., on the nine-day trip from March 8 to March 16.

Highlights included a meeting with the general manager of Costa Rican soccer club Saprissa FC. In addition to touring its facilities, students learned about marketing and promotion from the club’s sport business professionals and how Saprissa FC develops educational initiatives.

Meetings with the Ministry on Sport and Recreation of Santa Ana and a local school district shed light on the government’s role in physical activity in terms of inclusivity and community engagement.

Arner said the experiences were aimed at demonstrating to students that sports go well beyond the on-field action.

“Sports is not necessarily just about playing the sport,” Arner said. “It can also be about managing the sport, and that can play into many other concepts.”

Salazar said he appreciated the opportunity to apply what he’s learned so far in the sport management program.

“It was almost overwhelming to see how much you can learn in the classroom that you can bring into the real world,” Salazar said.

Meanwhile, the students also got to experience Costa Rica’s rich tourism industry by ziplining and repelling down a waterfall – adventures that also proved to be valuable learning experiences.

“Doing that was one of the scariest experiences of my life but also one of the best because you’re facing one of your biggest fears,” Salazar said.

Public health and nursing in Guatemala

In Guatemalan hospitals and group homes, students majoring in nursing and public health got to see classroom concepts being applied on the front lines of healthcare.

“Based on the experience that they’re having in school here at ESU and how it lined up with the degrees they’re currently pursuing, we made sure that they were exposed to an experience that would complement what they were learning,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Dorian E. Royal, Ph.D., D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N.

Led by Dr. Royal and Assistant Professor of Health Studies Elaine Rodriguez, Ph.D., Jeremiah Benn, Suzy Bailey, Jane Dorshimek, Hailey Farber, Shelbee Gordon, Alaina Humphrey, Mariam Juya, Aaryan Medford, Natalia Mendoza, Katelyn Mynes, Leolis Rodriguez, Charlotte Russo, Sierra Thime, and Kai Young shared a variety of cultural and service-learning activities from March 8 to March 15.

Working in rotations that included shadowing nurses and physicians in a hospital and assisting residents of a group home with mental and physical challenges, the group was exposed to settings and scenarios they can’t experience in the classroom.

“I was one of the few students who got the opportunity to go into the OR where I watched a hernia be removed laparoscopically,” Bailey said. “I also got to see how the equipment was sterilized. It was a very unique process.”

“Being able to experience something that’s outside of ESU and outside of a classroom, you get such more of an appreciation for it,” added Dorshimer.

Students also visited historical landmarks, an active volcano, and learned about major Guatemalan exports like coffee and cocoa. The group spent time in multiple cities but were primarily based in Antigua during the trip.

“The way that different cultures celebrate their generation, their religion, all kind of experiences, is such a thing to take in, to learn and to value,” Dorshimer said.

Learn more about study abroad experiences at ESU.

Search

Recent Posts