Exploring a coral reef in Belize, interning at a hospital in Spain, and participating in an archeological dig in Italy. These are just some of the exciting adventures Saint Anselm students had through Global Seminar experiences this summer. These short-term programs allow students to really connect with the different cultures they are studying in the classroom. Several dozen students were led by Saint Anselm faculty members on three Global Seminar programs, and two were held earlier this year. Here are some highlights:
Granada, Spain: Advanced Spanish Immersion and Internship May/June 2024
Fifteen students gained direct exposure to the Spanish healthcare system while learning more about educational and business practices in Spain. This trip provided invaluable insights and practical skills that will help them in their future careers. While most of the students came from the Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences, students majoring in Spanish, Education, Politics and Business also attended.
“This program fosters personal growth and professional development by immersing students in real-world environments where they must navigate linguistic and cultural challenges,” said Spanish Professor Elizabeth Fouts. It has been going strong for eight years in various Spanish-speaking countries. She has worked with Professor Marigen Tapia Learnard to hone the program over the years, which has taken students to Costa Rica and Argentina.
During the five-week trip, students participated in a Spanish-language immersion course, lived with local host families, and completed a month-long internship in Granada, Spain. There students interned for 30 hours a week at sites such as Hospital San Rafael, the Chamber of Commerce of Granada, and two local schools.
When not at their internships, the group explored local attractions such as the Alhambra, but also visited other cities such as Archidona, Málaga (to experience a typical day at an olive farm), Seville, and Córdoba. Students interacted with the community through language exchanges and even went in a dragon boat with REMAMA, the national champions who are also breast cancer survivors.
“Throughout my experience in Granada I was able to apply my nursing skills and my Spanish in a hospital setting to provide care for the patients and understand a different form of healthcare,” said Sabrina Tirrusa ’25, who is studying nursing with a minor in Spanish. “I am so grateful for this opportunity and what I will be able to take with me through my nursing career as everyone's world is different and my views were changed after this trip.”
Belize: Field Studies in Tropical Ecology May/June 2024
The Biology Department’s Global Seminar trip to Belize, led by Professors Eric Berry, Ph.D., and Lori LaPlante, Ph.D., provide a great opportunity for students to gain a new appreciation for biological diversity through these amazing tropical ecosystems. Belize is a very different place than New England in terms of both the natural ecosystems and culture. Seeing them work through daily activities that are physically and mentally challenging is rewarding, Berry said.
“This is the first time they have ever hiked a rainforest trail or snorkeled a coral reef,” said Berry, who was joined by Professor Lori LaPlante on the journey.
Berry said the main goal for the course is to give students as many hands-on experiences as possible so that they can see the tropical biology concepts and theories they discussed on campus firsthand. Many of these involved hikes in the rainforest to collect data, and often ended in a swimming spot where students can cool off.
“One of my favorite moments is seeing the students’ reactions the first time we reach one of those spots, which is almost always a deep, clear pool at the base of a waterfall,” Berry said. “There is something magical about just our small group floating in one of those pools in the middle of a tropical rainforest.”
Italy: An Archeological Dig with the Classics Department
Antonio Melillo ’24 has had such an enriching experience at the dig site in Orvieto, Italy, that he’s participated for three years.
For five weeks in the summer, Saint Anselm College operates the Orvieto Archaeological Field School in Coriglia, located in central Italy near the city of Orvieto. There students learn everything from using archaeological tools like trowels, shovels, pick axes and wheelbarrows — to identifying artifacts, and proper cataloging practices. The site dates from 1000 BCE to 1400 CE and has yielded materials, like coins and ceramics, from Greek, Etruscan, Roman, medieval and renaissance Italian cultures.
“You’re definitely doing a lot of the digging. It’s very hands-on,” said Melillo.
Melillo became interested as a way to connect with his culture and heritage, since his family is from Italy. He majored in History and Classical Archaeology at Saint Anselm and plans to attend graduate school at the American University of Rome, studying cultural heritage. From there, he aspires to get his law degree in something involving art restitution or artifact ownership.
The entire experience including learning from Classics professors, interacting with local archeologists and even taking breaks under bucolic Italian olive trees is worthwhile.
“Obviously it’s cool to pull up old stuff and to solve mysteries,” he said. “But it’s everything together that creates this intoxicating atmosphere for archeologists.”
Havana, Cuba: History Department, March 2024
In March 2024, History Prof. Matthew Masur took a group of students to learn more about how the Cold War played out in Havana, Cuba.
Masur said the Cuba trip was a great way for students to learn a different perspective on the Cold War. They visited museums and historic sites throughout the week that explain Cuba’s role in the conflict.
“We also talk to experts on Cuban history who share their first-hand recollections of key events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. And in some ways the legacies of the Cold War are still very present in Cuba — students experience a planned economy and a communist government, they see Cold War-era buildings, and they encounter posters and signs promoting revolutionary figures,” he said.
Diego Benites ’25 said he learned a great deal during the “once-in-a-lifetime” trip and he’s grateful that the college offers this rare opportunity.
The experience showed him that “although people may come from different backgrounds and are taught staunchly different ideologies, at the end of the day we’re all people trying to enjoy life the best we can.”