Sarah Giskin

International Experience Country:
Brazil
Cohort Year:
2013
Home Institution:

Temple University

Heinz Programming Area:
Economic Opportunity
International Experience Summary:

Sarah Giskin spent six weeks in Salvador Brazil. During this time she was enrolled in a course in Afro-Brazilian Culture and one in Afro-Brazilian Music. She also took several not-for-credit classes including Portuguese Language, Capoeira (Brazilian martial arts), Brazilian dance (Samba, Forro, Axe, and Orixa), a cooking class, and lessons in Brazilian musical instruments (pandero and berimbau). She met and engaged with people of all ages, races, and genders. She learned a great deal about the history of slavery in Brazil and how African culture has persisted in Bahia resulting in cultural cornerstones of Brazil like the religion of Candomble, Capoeira, Samba music, and even the food that is popular. Sarah developed a huge amount of love and respect for the people of Brazil, and hopes to return to learn more and be able to authentically embody the Bahian way of life.

Community Engagement Experience Summary:

CEE Title: Panel on Youth Homelessness in Philadelphia

Our CEE was called a Panel on Youth Homelessness in Philadelphia. Our panelists including two Temple students who had experienced homelessness as young people, one Public Health scholar doing Master's Thesis on homelessness, and a service provider who works with all homeless children in the Philadelphia school system. My partner Jordan and I started the event by explaining how our international experiences enlightened us to the issue of child homelessness and inspired us to get involved. We then let the panelists introduce themselves and their relation to this issue. We had a series of questions for the panelists, many of which were tailored to specific panelists' areas of experience. As we had hoped it would the panel turned into more of a conversation between panelists than a question and answer session. The conversation continued at the end when we allowed time for questions from the audience, and including information on how to get involved in decreasing homelessness among young people. Over all it was a very educational and inspiring event.