While attending the ACTFL conference (Foreign Language!) in November, I had some interesting experiences and learned about some new trends in foreign language instruction, but I would like to share just a bit about a day-long workshop in which I participated. It was a Spanish immersion session put on by the Spanish Embassy. We, as Spanish faculty, knew a lot about Spanish culture, language and history, but found that we had quite a bit to learn about contemporary Spain. We did several activities related to Spain’s current government and its work in sustainability. This was a great study of language, science and culture alike.
Since I regularly take students abroad, conservation and sustainability are often discussed in Costa Rica for example, but in a country like Spain which was mostly deforested many centuries before, it was interesting to learn about efforts to support and sustain this population in semi-arid southern Spain. Indeed, we in the U.S. have a long way to go in this area and can learn much from what is being done abroad. Europe has a longer industrial history than we do and they have perhaps a shorter time to correct their environmental woes.
Since I regularly take students abroad, conservation and sustainability are often discussed in Costa Rica for example, but in a country like Spain which was mostly deforested many centuries before, it was interesting to learn about efforts to support and sustain this population in semi-arid southern Spain. Indeed, we in the U.S. have a long way to go in this area and can learn much from what is being done abroad. Europe has a longer industrial history than we do and they have perhaps a shorter time to correct their environmental woes.
While in Andalucía, Spain I’ve stood at the base of the huge wind turbines that produce electricity for vast sections of southern Spain. I’ve also seen the great invernaderos (greenhouses) that produce the rich varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers sold all over Spain and Europe. Beyond the agricultural richness, the Almeria province houses Europe´s largest solar energy plant, and stages an important EU solar energy research center.
In the workshop, I also learned that Spain has some beautiful national parks that I've somehow missed in my study of language, history, art and their monuments. I will add some of these parks to my itinerary on future trips. I'm glad for the fresh perspectives I gained at the conference that I will share with my students along with the challenge to study everything with an interdisciplinary approach.
Global thinking -global perspectives - global skills, our planet's future will require them. Language study opens the door to many other disciplines. Open your eyes to our world and your potential in studies abroad.
Global thinking -global perspectives - global skills, our planet's future will require them. Language study opens the door to many other disciplines. Open your eyes to our world and your potential in studies abroad.
Mary Ebuna
Timberline Campus
Timberline Campus
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