Students from Northwestern participated in a cross-cultural trip to Jamaica this past May and early June. The students that visited Jamaica plan to share their experiences with the NW community in VPH, Room 204, on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Professor Jolynne Tonsfeldt of the education department said that instead of just showing the presentation in class she desired students to attend by choice.
“There will be a power point presentation followed by discussion groups in which students, faculty and administration will have a chance to ask questions from those that participated,” said Tonsfeldt.
Education students can receive two multicultural credits for attending the presentation.
“It was a cross-cultural experience, not just mission work. We spent one week here on campus learning about Jamaica with presentations and research. Then we spent 3 weeks in Jamaica,” said Tonsfeldt.
The group spent ten days working at Northgate Global Church, Mansfield Heights Basic School and Mar Jam School in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They then spent nine days in Montego Bay working at Robin’s Nest Children’s Home. The group stayed with host families in Jamaica and did some sight seeing in Negril, Jamaica in hopes of “immersing ourselves in a different cultures,” according to Tonsfeldt.
Tonsfeldt stated that during their three weeks the group worked with two missionaries, Eddy and Grace Miller, who challenged the group to “find God here in Jamaica.” According to Tonsfeldt, one of the most important things she learned was that “kids don’t see color, they don’t see disabilities and they don’t see race. The kids grabbed onto us and all those outside things did not matter.”
