Fostering Cross‐Cultural Learning and Advocacy for Social Justice through an Immersion Experience in Puerto Rico

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of the faculty and students of the University of Puerto Rico to this travel study course. We would also like to thank the University of Connecticut MSW travel study students whose commitment to cross‐cultural learning and social justice advocacy inspired the development of this article.

Abstract

Our country's increasing social diversity, the richness and complexity of cultures, diversity of self‐defined individual identities, and complexity of cross‐cultural interactions make effective diversity teaching a challenging but critical need. In addition, for services to be provided in culturally competent manner educators must prepare social work students to understand and address the causes, dynamics and consequences of oppression in the life experiences of diverse populations. This article will describe a graduate travel study social work course designed to provide a cultural immersion experience in Puerto Rico. Anecdotal evidence of the students' transformative learning experiences and commitment to social justice advocacy are offered.

Keywords:

• Cultural competency
• diversity education
• transformative cross–cultural learning
• social justice advocacy

Notes

The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of the faculty and students of the University of Puerto Rico to this travel study course. We would also like to thank the University of Connecticut MSW travel study students whose commitment to cross‐cultural learning and social justice advocacy inspired the development of this article.