» Competition 22: The MetLife Foundation Study Abroad Innovation Competition

Migration, Inclusion, & Diversity in Texan and Chilean K-12 Schools and Local Communities: MID Texas-Chile Project

Universidad Alberto Hurtado​

Santiago, Chile

Project Partner: Texas State University, Texas, United States

Overview

Universidad Alberto Hurtado (UAH) and Texas State University (Texas State) created a new credit-bearing, study abroad course for English as a Second Language (ESL) undergraduate students. The program engaged students in cross-cultural exploration, learning, and projects related to issues of migration, inclusion, and diversity in K-12 schools and local communities in Texas and Chile.

During the program, nine (9) Chilean students from UAH traveled to the Texas, where they collaborated with Texas State students in coursework and field-based experiences at local schools and community-based organizations that support immigrant communities in central Texas and deepened their knowledge and understanding of education and immigration in the United States. The program also enabled the Chilean students to learn firsthand about the contexts of migratory families and meaningful teaching practices for linguistic and cultural diversity, while allowing participating U.S. students to learn about similar contexts in Chile from the their counterparts through a facilitated learning experience.

Furthermore, students and professors worked together to integrate strategies from both countries on how to provide quality education for migratory and diverse communities. Both institutions intend to continue implementing collaborative work by supporting the creation of a bidirectional study abroad program as part of their teaching training program.

“I’m grateful for this significant opportunity to build sustainable international exchange programs in teacher education. This will strengthen our relationships with Latin America and better prepare new teachers from both countries with the vision and skills for transforming educational systems in a spirit of cooperation across the Western Hemisphere.”
Dr. Michael O'Malley
Dean of the College of Education, Texas State University

Student Testimonials

“I was able to reflect on how migration and inclusion can be positively addressed inside the school and how schools should support immigrant students and prepare them for the educational system they will be immersed on. This made me reflect on the aspects that our current Chilean education system is lacking and how we can (and should) implement activities, programs and curricular changes to help immigrant students adapt to our education system... As we observed many bilingual programs with several immigrant students, I was able to reflect on the importance of supporting students emotionally throughout the process of adjusting to a new country, a new neighborhood and a new school. There were several students in some of the schools we visited that mentioned that teachers’ support was extremely important in the process of learning a new language, customs and making new friends. Thus, it made me reflect on the role that we have as teachers in our student’s life either academically or emotionally. Finally, I believe that this program left me with many accomplishments and learnings that will help me to become the teacher I want to become.”
Javiera AvilaUniversidad Alberto Hurtado
"Having the chance of observing lessons was an opportunity for learning new classroom management strategies and finding ways of making the learning closer and easier for students... Consequently, having the opportunity to see how teachers who keep themselves updated when it comes to methods and creative with their strategies gave me a broader view of the things that can be done in a class. Talking with school teachers about the philosophy behind their lessons was awakening in the sense of listening from in-service school teachers what education should be about in multicultural contexts. I find this important especially when as EFL teachers, reminding ourselves that English is not the only aspect that students learn in our lessons can get difficult throughout time. Both of these aspects were crucial when I was improving my planning."
Michelle SantisUniversidad Alberto Hurtado
"I learned how to work in different contexts, how to get know students and make the classes more meaningful for children. Also, I have learned that technology can help teachers to provide extra tool for students in their learning process. It is extremely important that teachers are interested in their students because if there's no interest, you can see that classes are less student-centered focus a more monotonous. Lastly, [I learned] that school is a society where students interact [and that] learning outcomes can be better when students learn from peers and not just as students."
Javiera OrtegaUniversidad Alberto Hurtado
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