Imagine: You register for a class to learn about a state’s rich history. Then, you and your classmates travel to and experience the state’s distinctive cuisine, vibrant music and ecological wonders—all while gaining credit at Salt Lake Community College. For the first time at SLCC, a group of students did just that; they traveled to Louisiana on July 10-17 for the domestic study trip portion of DSD 2900: A Taste of Louisiana.
The domestic study designation (DSD 2900) was recently developed by Professor Jeff Zealley, who taught the course, and Engaged Learning Director Lucy Smith. The new designation offers experiential learning, the process of learning by doing while remaining interdisciplinary. Nearly all students who registered for A Taste of Louisiana hailed from different areas of study. Yet, they intended to apply what they learned in the class to their respective fields. Brisa Aguirre Jurado, who is studying animation at SLCC, registered for the class because she enjoys learning about cultures and how they are represented in media. “As a future animator, it’s my job to study and value cultures in order to represent them as best as I can,” Brisa says.
Students were also interested in learning about Louisiana’s history. Gabriela Rivas, studying paralegal studies, is a WWII fanatic and wanted to visit the WWII Museum, one of the many stops on the trip’s itinerary. “I love history,” Gabriela says. “Naturally, I wanted to go and learn."
Christine Ruoti, studying family and human studies at SLCC, echoes similar sentiments. “I have always wanted to go to the South and thought that this class would be a great opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Louisiana,” she says.
Most students in the class received funding for the trip from the High-Impact Practices Scholarship, offered through the Engaged Learning Office. The goal of the scholarship is to make domestic study at SLCC more equitable, an issue many colleges across the country are working to address. The financial award is available to first-generation students from diverse backgrounds; need-based funding is also available.
Experience a Taste of Louisiana
Professor Jeff Zealley developed the itinerary with the goal that students experience a “taste” of many things in Louisiana. The group covered a long list of stops on the trip, including the New Orleans French Quarter, cemeteries, the Tabasco Factory, a swamp tour, a Cajun food tour and more. The trip itinerary also included free time, which allowed students to explore the New Orleans independently.
Some students and co-leader Jenny Huynh shared their favorite experience and why it was impactful.
Preservation Hall
One stop on the trip’s itinerary was Preservation Hall, a historic music venue in the famous French Quarter. The cohort visited the venue and watched an ensemble perform traditional New Orleans jazz. “The minute they started playing, you could see and feel their passion for the music,” Brisa says. “You can’t contain yourself. You tap your foot, clap your hands, move your head. That music was from someone who loved music and loved their home.”
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| Credit: Brisa Aguirre Jurado. |
WWII Museum
Gabriela shares that her favorite stop on the itinerary was the WWII Museum. “I love WWII, so going and seeing the artifacts was so special for me,” she says.
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| Credit: Jenny Huynh. |
Day of Service
The group collaborated with Volunteers of America and spent a day with adults experiencing cognitive and developmental disabilities. Students played games, sang songs, and painted fingernails. “This was such a fun experience that I don’t get the opportunity to do often,” Christine says. Brisa, who also enjoyed meeting new people, says, “It was like making new friends … seeing them laugh and smile was worth it.”
Cajun Encounters
As someone with degrees in environmental sustainability and international studies, co-leader Jenny Huynh was excited to participate in a New Orleans swamp tour and experience the natural wonders of Louisiana. The group learned about the swamp and its inhabitants—and saw nearly 20 gators!
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| Credit: Jenny Huynh. |
Student Takeaways
Throughout their travels, students drew many takeaways, including the connections between their cultures and those in Louisiana. “I heard that Louisiana was a melting pot of a few cultures, but I didn’t expect to find my culture also be a part of the melting pot,” Brisa says. “It truly gave me a send of pride and belonging.”
Gabriela also found many similarities. “One thing [that stood out] was how much better the King Cake was in Louisiana than in my culture,” she says. The popular cake Gabriela mentions contains various ingredients and is associated with many countries, including France, Portugal, Bulgaria, Spain, Latin America, Greece and Cyprus.
Jeff plans to make some additional tweaks to the trip itinerary for the next class but feels the trip was an overall success. Gabriela, Christine, and Brisa heartily agree. “I think this is one of the best opportunities that the College offers,” Christine says. “Meeting new people, experiencing the culture, and learning about the history of Louisiana was an experience that I will never forget."
“This is a great class for people experiencing their firsts,” Brisa says. “It doesn’t matter what major you’re in; you’ll learn something to apply to your major. In my opinion, this is a great opportunity that is basically in the palm of your hands; all you must do is grab it.”
About DSD 2900: A Taste of Louisiana
Although the trip ended on July 17, Jeff hopes to teach the class annually. For more information on A Taste to Louisiana and other SLCC Domestic Study programs, visit the Domestic Study webpage or contact Engaged Learning Specialist Jenny Huynh (jenny.huynh@slcc.edu).
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