Fairfield students do not always pay close attention to congressional announcements. However, not all of these announcements have as direct an impact on our University as the one made by Christopher Shays (R-CT) last week, which revealed that Fairfield would be the recipient of a $29,011 grant through the Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program.
Not only is this an honor for the University – past recipients of the grant include Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Harvard – it is also a credit to all those who are working diligently to make the Fairfield learning experience span beyond the classroom. It exemplifies the idea of applying academic lessons to the world beyond our University’s immediate surroundings.
The grant will allow a select group of students and faculty to experience the unique culture of Brazil while addressing the very widespread and prevalent crisis of poverty worldwide. In the process, they will become truly immersed in a facet of diversity and social activism that would not otherwise be possible.
Such an initiative accomplishes two lofty University goals. It takes the notion of increasing diversity to a heightened, more proactive level. It is also aligned with the strategic plan, which emphasizes the importance of education both inside and outside of the classroom.
For years, Fairfield has struggled with defining diversity and how to boost its presence on campus. But diversity is not as straightforward as increasing certain ethnic groups among the student body or focusing on attracting students from different regions around the world; it exists on an individual level, expressed by each student. By broadening the spectrum, this grant transports students to Brazil, where life is much different from life at Fairfield, giving them the ability to explore the issue of poverty firsthand.
Realizing that diversity is not necessarily synonymous with ethnicity, race or socio-economic backgrounds is the first step toward achieving that goal. This opportunity is not an instance of students looking at a world they do not understand; it instead requires students to face what may be culture shock head on and grow as intellectuals from the experience.
We are proud of those involved for not only pursuing the grant, but for successfully obtaining it. The participating students will be able to leave their footprint on those locations and situations they encounter during their trip.
Click to read more about the Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program
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