1. Where did inspiration for this new study abroad program in Argentina come from?
A few years after the murder of six Jesuits and two women in 1989 during El Salvador’s civil war, Santa Clara University began a unique study abroad program in El Salvador called the “Casa de la Solidaridad.” Last year, a “Casa Network” was formed between SCU, USF and LMU. USF began a program in the Philippines last fall and next fall, LMU will begin a Casa program in Córdoba, Argentina.
2. What is your favorite class you have taught or teach at LMU?
I love the special studies classes I get to teach. These cover a variety of topics but are often interdisciplinary and involve an engaged learning experience. This spring, [Professor] Doug Christie and I will teach a course that includes an alternative break which involves a five-day stay at a monastery in Big Sur and three days at a Catholic Worker community in Guadalupe, Calif.
3. What made you decide to move to Argentina to teach this study abroad class?
This program is very important to LMU because it addresses the Jesuit vision of teaching students into a well-educated solidarity. We were invited to not just teach a class, but to help establish a program. We jumped at the opportunity to live there for three years.
4. How is your family feeling about the move?
We have five kids, including two sets of twins. So, depending on who you talk to, you’ll receive very different answers. But mostly they’re excited. The boys are not so excited, but it doesn’t matter, they’re going regardless. And the girls are so excited.
5. Where’s your favorite place you’ve traveled thus far in your life?
That’s so hard. I mean, I went to Italy for the first time this summer and that was mindblowing. But it was also mindblowing to go to Nicaragua with my students a couple years ago.
6. What is one thing you are most nervous about with this move?
Language. I’m taking Spanish 102 with the students here. When you’re older it’s harder to learn and I’m not worried about the kids so much but you know ... I’ve always wanted to learn, but it’s going to be an immersion.
7. Have you ever been to Argentina before?
I went in May, loved it. It confirmed – well it wasn’t a confirmation; we had no idea we would end up going. But I really fell for the place.
8. How will this study abroad program differ from the others at LMU?
Students in this program will spend two full days a week working in a praxis community. Actually, not working really, it’s more becoming a part of the community. The central idea of this program is accompaniment, so it’s just learning how to be with these people, the community becomes your teacher. The rest of the time they’ll be taking classes with the Jesuit university there.
9. Why would you tell students to take part in this program?
You can travel a lot of different places but [with this program] it’s almost like you put a pause button on your life. You get to look up and live more simply, it’s very intentional living and it’s an emphasis on spirituality and trying to understand what it means to live in different cultures and differences in income. You get to live it, not just learn about it in a classroom.
10. What is one American amenity that you are nervous about leaving behind?
I heard they don’t have peanut butter. I’m not sure, but that would be hard.
11. What food are you looking forward to trying the most?
Argentinians and their relationship to meat. They’re hugely famous for their meat, but you know we’re trying to eat more balanced, so I’m not sure how we’re going to come back.
12. Do you worry about being homesick at all?
I think it will be overwhelming for a while but between all the chances to see people through Skype or FaceTime, and we’ll be back to visit, we’re not going into exile. But I think we all look at it as an amazing adventure for our family. We all feel unbelievably lucky.
13. What exactly will your job entail in Argentina?
We’ll find out when we get there! I think it’s a lot of everything because it’s a brand new program, so we’re going to have to do whatever it takes to make the students have the best experience. Building in a retreat experience, reflection, trips…We’ll be involved in everything. It’s not just like we’re teaching a class, we’re going to be living and working with students.
14. What are you hoping to ultimately take away from this experience?
More of a lived understanding of what it means to, [as I] mention at the beginning this notion of a well-education solidarity. We have a lot of ideals, I think we’re going to live that and understand what it means from our experience. That would be tremendous. Because there are some things you believe in but it’s really good to have a chance to work it out in your life.