Impact

Penn State freshmen travel to Jamaica to study sustainability

Preparing raised agricultural beds, learning about organic farming and witnessing permaculture principles first hand is the way 14 freshmen started their Penn State experience this summer. Students traveled to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for eight days as part of an international travel component of "Sustainability Research in Jamaica," a course offered through the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) and the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS).

Neil Brown, research associate for the Alliance for Education, Science, Engineering and Development in Africa (AESEDA); Kristin Thomas, director of global relations and promotions; and Kimberly Del Bright, Giles writer-in-residence for EMS; team-taught on the topics of sustainability, leadership and communication.

The LEAP pride used the four sustainability principles adapted from “The Natural Step Framework,” a comprehensive model that helps organizations integrate sustainable development into their strategic planning. An interdisciplinary approach helped students explore their roles as leaders in a global society, examine the social, environmental and economic challenges of sustainable development, and practice the art of effective rhetoric and composition (English 15) to better understand and respond to arguments related to sustainability.

During the seven-week long semester, students were encouraged to integrate classroom lessons to their real-world experiences. Self-discovery and changing perspectives is a common thread among their comments about their educational growth gained from this LEAP.

Alicia Janocsko, an energy, business, and finance major said, “Going to Jamaica, I didn’t think I had much to offer. But I found through conversations with Jamaicans that we could respect each other, and this helped me see what they see. I gained a new perspective.”

“I learned everyone can contribute to a community,” said Sebastian Holler, a business major. “Even if you’re young and don’t know as much -- I was inspired to find a way that works for the positive good.”

“Through taking freezing cold showers, using a compostable toilet, climbing Dunn’s River Falls, visiting the organic farms, talking to a lot of people, and eating ackee, plantains and other foods -- I think I learned a lot,” said Ryan Belz, a meteorology major, “but I learned the most about myself.”

Other students said the experience changed their worldview.

“As Americans, I think we sometimes think we can copy and paste what we have to other places,” said Tyler Thompson, an agriculture science major. “We often have good intentions, but sometimes we do it without understanding the other parts of the culture.”

Adam Strickland, a biology major, was glad the group visited both tourist and non-tourist attractions.

“The comparison showed us how we could see through different lenses. I didn’t realize there are various ways to view a country: one as a tourist and one as a student.”

To read more about what the students have to say about “Sustainability in Jamaica,” go to Kimberly Del Bright’s blog at: http://www.personal.psu.edu/kdb9/blogs/giles_writer-in-residence/.

Fourteen freshmen started their Penn State experience this summer with an excursion to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for eight days as part of an international travel component of 'Sustainability Research in Jamaica,' a course offered through the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) and the Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS). Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated August 22, 2012

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