New Domestic Study Trip Expands Travel Opportunities for Students

Stock image: Kayaking at Lake Martin, a bald cypress swamp, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA.

Salt Lake Community College students traveled to New Orleans on July 10 for the College’s first interdisciplinary domestic study trip, A Taste of Louisiana. Professor Jeff Zealley instructed the class and co-led the trip with Engaged Learning Specialist Jenny Huynh, with President Huftalin joining the group for the first few days of their travels.

About SLCC’s Domestic Study Programs

A Taste of Louisiana falls under DSD 2900, the new designation developed by SLCC Engaged Learning Director Lucy Smith in collaboration with Jeff. Unlike study abroad or discipline-specific domestic study programs, DSD 2900 is an interdisciplinary designation, meaning a student in any area of study may enroll in the program and complete two general credit hours.

The designation creates a new program structure through the lens of experiential learning, the process of learning by doing. While enrolled in the class, students will visit a location within the U.S. and complete post-travel work like reflection journals, small group presentations or research projects. In addition, faculty will facilitate learning and discussion on various topics, including the study of social, cultural, economic, or historical dynamics and issues related to power, privilege, oppression, gender, economic, religion or race relations in that area.

The College’s Study Abroad and Domestic Study programs offer global learning while traveling in or outside of the U.S., but not all students have always been able to participate. “Historically, Study Abroad has been a program of privilege,” Lucy says. “As an alternative to studying abroad, domestic study trips require less time and funds but can be equally as educative.” Lucy adds that most institutions are working to make studying abroad and domestic study opportunities more equitable, including SLCC, which uses High-Impact Practices funding to support implementing of programs like domestic study.

About DSD 2900: A Taste of Louisiana

Jeff says that A Taste of Louisiana is a play on words, but the class covers many subjects. “I wanted students to discover the cultures, which are varied and have all contributed to making Louisiana what it is.”

A few stops on the trip’s itinerary include the New Orleans French Quarter, cemeteries, National World War II Museum, swamps, the Tabasco factory, a botanical garden and bird sanctuary and a historic village. Students will also spend a day providing service to local charities.

Although the trip ended on July 17, Jeff hopes to teach the class annually. “If you’re a student at SLCC, you can sign up for A Taste of Louisiana, learn about it, [and] go experience it,” Jeff says. “That was one of the other goals: to give people a chance to go out and get to know our country.”

For more information on A Trip to Louisiana and other SLCC Domestic Study programs, visit the Domestic Study webpage.