February 24, 2022
At the end of the Autumn 2021 semester, four Shawnee State University students enrolled in Spanish courses with Professor Pablo Salinas took a trip to Puerto Rico to experience the Spanish language outside of the classroom. Students Aubrey Boland, Scarlett Caudill, Bethany Smith, and Abraham Heimbach took advantage of the educational trip.
“I had always wanted to take an opportunity to learn more about other cultures.,” said senior Aubrey Boland, an English & Humanities major with a concentration in Communication. “Although I was intimidated since Puerto Rico is a primarily Spanish speaking territory, I pushed myself to go and I realized I was better at speaking Spanish than I thought.”
Throughout their studies, the students knew learning Spanish when it was not their first language would take a lot of time and dedication. Working hard both inside and outside of their classes with Professor Salinas, they found their hard work was worth it during their trip.
“I am obtaining a Spanish minor at SSU, and the chance to speak Spanish with native speakers was not something I wanted to pass up,” said junior Bethany Smith, who is majoring in Adolescent-to-Young Adult English Education. “I was nervous about trying to use my classroom Spanish in a practical, real-life setting, but it turned out really well.”
Made possible through the Betty & Jim Hodgen Travel Fund in the SSU Development Foundation, the trip was offered at no cost to the four students. The travel fund was established through the estate of SSU Professor Emeritus Betty Hodgen to support travel funds used by professors and students in the Department of English & Humanities to expand educational opportunities.
“Dr. Salinas announced that there would be a travel opportunity provided by the Betty & Jim Hodgen Travel Fund,” said Scarlett Caudill, a sophomore majoring in Early Childhood Education. “I knew from the beginning that if I did not go, I might never be fortunate enough to travel outside of the United States. Being from a small town in Ohio, it didn’t limit me, it made me appreciate this trip even more.”
During the trip to Puerto Rico, the students were exposed to the different accents throughout the country. This was an integral part in their understanding of the Spanish language in ways outside of classroom vocabulary and assignments.
“Going to Puerto Rico was instrumental for my knowledge of Spanish,” said Boland. “I learned how to enunciate certain words differently, as well as the different accents people had when speaking.”
When it came to life in Puerto Rico, the students found the people were much less rushed and through it, made their experience refreshing for them all.
“There is importance in every moment of life, but it wasn’t until this trip that I began to experience life as an opportunity to be appreciative,” said Caudill. “Life in Puerto Rico is not fast-paced and rushed. The people there take their time enjoying every moment and developing spiritual and interpersonal connections. I will forever be grateful to have been given the chance to experience such a wonderful place and culture.”
Learn more about the opportunities in Shawnee State University’s English & Humanities Department. For students interested in applying to travel on the next trip with Professor Pablo Salinas, contact psalinas@shawnee.edu to learn more.