Cultural Performance at Unity Fest is a Hit with CSU Students

Rosa Lopez and Lissette Garcia waiting fot their cue to start.
Photo by Jocelyn Arana

Unity Fest is a yearly event that promotes International clubs on campus, as well as groups of students studying from different countries. It is held on the main lawn at CSUDH, and this year the SEED students were invited to perform a traditional Salvadorian dance for the rest of the students. Third year Engineering student Gustavo Alvarado described Unity Fest as “A multi-cultural event that brings people together by sharing their culture with each other. For the most part, people like to share about where they’re from and their customs.”

The SEED students did three different dances in traditional clothing, which they said held a special place in their hearts because it was usually only worn at special cultural celebrations or occasions back home.

Mirna Lira was one of the coordinators of the dances and said, “We are very proud of our culture and are happy Americans appreciate it. We are more than happy to share with you, and show you more about where we come from. We are representing our country right now.”

There were various ethnic foods for sale, as well as dance and theatrical performances, world music and live bands that added to the entertainment for the day. 

The SEED students at Unity Fest 2013. Photo by Jocelyn Arana. 

Engaging Students Through the Arts

Montebello High School arts teacher, Alex Martinez show the SEED students the importance of a well rounded curriculum.

Workshop leader Alex Martinez helps
students visualize and create.
 Photo by Jocelyn Arana.

The students had a workshop with Montebello High School art teacher, Alex Martinez last week. His theme was engaging students through visual arts. About working with kids and art he says, “It’s a very natural combination. A kid that can understand how to create or build something can apply it to other aspects of life such as problem solving, friends, and family. Art goes beyond paint and canvas; it opens up a new world of possibilities for kids who think they have none.”

Art is an element that the SEED teachers want to incorporate back home in El Salvador. They are hoping to raise money in their communities to support more after school programs that incorporate art and music as part of the learning experience. According to SEED student and language arts teacher, Ana Garcia, “Not everyone is good at the same things that are taught in school like writing or mathematics, art teaches kids that there is room for everyone to shine.”

Photo by: Jocelyn Arana

In Alex’s class, they completed various life drawings and worked with clay as a form of self expression. Next week they will have a workshop on how to make everyday objects using recyclable materials. 

Why Study Abroad?

While there are many experiences that make up a memorable college life, many students do not take advantage of the opportunity to study in a different country. Studying abroad can enrich a student’s college experience and give them a better worldview of society.

This is something the SEED students can associate with, since they are continuing their education in a different country. Most of them had never previously left El Salvador, nor visited the United States. Although they initially experienced a culture shock upon arrival, most of them speak highly about their experience so far. Jesus Ora says of his experience so far, “ I miss my family a lot but the things I am learning here are priceless, I can’t wait to go back and make a difference in own my community. I will take the positive American values I am learning and incorporate them into my life back home.”

Image from educationabroad.com

While the SEED students are all professional, working adults, you can study in a different country in your college years! CSULB has many programs and country options available, go to CSULB Study Abroad Programs for more information, or visit the study abroad office located at Brotman Hall, Room BH 201. 

SEED Students Host Corn Husk Doll Workshop

A finished corn husk doll.
 Photo by Jocelyn Arana

To show their gratitude to their instructors and others who have reached out to them in their time here, the SEED students hosted an arts and crafts workshop, where they made traditional hand painted dolls out of corn husks to. Student Rosa Lopez hosted the workshop, and stated it was a fun activity that brought people together. “I learned how to make the doll in a workshop hosted by a colleague I work at in El Salvador. We gave the dolls to some of the parents who helped us raise money for our school. I thought it would be a nice idea to teach our instructors here something we know, and make something beautiful in the process. ”

Some of the teachers expressed that they would like to have similar hands on activities with their own students in El Salvador, but because of budget constraints and lack of supplies, they do not get to do them often. Lenin Perez, a fourth grade mathematics teacher, says “I would love to be able to have craft days because I feel the students would be more interested in coming to school if they felt it was a fun environment. Because of restraints from our districts or principals, as teachers, we don’t have much of a say in the availability of extracurricular activities."

Students Rosa Lopez, Lissette Montes, and Claudia
Venegas hand painting the dolls. Photo by Jocelyn Arana.

The dolls will be given to the SEED instructors and presenters who have taught at least on class with the group this semester. Some of the dolls will also go to professors at the Montebello school district, for working with the SEED students on classroom observations to their elementary and middle schools.