Alvernia University

Alvernia University students, faculty and staff spent a week in the Dominican Republic teaching, serving, and learning. The students assisted the Bernardine Sisters with the schooling operations and experienced life in Los Tres Brazos Barrio, located in Santo Domingo. "Reflecting on my experience, one thought always entered my mind: I wondered how these children found such joy in having so little," said Kristen Eck, staff chaperone who serves as the Marketing Specialist at Alvernia University. "However, most don't know about the everyday conveniences and wealth we are fortunate to have living in the United States. The week-long journey in Santo Domingo stirred up many emotions. It made me realize that happiness isn't measured by material possessions but by the depth of connection and the ability to appreciate the simplest moments with people who share love and gratitude." Each student was tasked with raising $400 and creating a lesson plan for children in Kindergarten to Sixth grade. The lesson plans aimed to teach the kids about English and other cultural activities enjoyed in the US through games, gym activities, and arts/crafts. The Alvernia students also brought toothbrushes and toothpaste to teach about oral hygiene. Javier Romero, a nursing student at Alvernia University, even taught the kids about CRP treatment. "One thing that I have taken away from as I embarked on this Dominican Republic alternative break is the importance of serving," said Romero. "Service tends to have a very generalized definition amongst everybody, but I think it's one thing knowing what it means book wise (serving), and another thing doing it...Overall this has been such a humbling experience." In addition to creating lesson plans, the students also served the community in various ways. These included conducting a focus group with community teens and visiting 5 different community families struggling with illness. Every night, the group would reflect on the day and read scripture together. "Even in places where there's so much poverty and people are barely able to afford the clothing that they wear and food that they need to feed their family, that even in these places there can be so much joy and authenticity," said Hailey Keperling, a student at Alvernia University and the alternative break team leader. "I've met some of the happiest people here and some of the most loving children. It's really humbling to see that there can be so much love and so much joy in a place like this. Especially compared to back home when we do have a lot and we are afforded a lot of things, but there isn't always that joy and that gratitude here the same way that I saw in the Dominican Republic. I'm very grateful for these experiences and they have absolutely changed my life."

Seven Alvernia University students & alums studied abroad through the Sustainability Immersion Program in Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada. This trip is a 1-week adventure-based group learning program developed and facilitated by the Sustainable Misfits, a nonprofit organization founded by five Alvernia alumni. The program's focus is to guide young adults on how to effectively cultivate a caring, resilient community of people who make a positive impact on others and the environment. "Sustainable Misfits takes a holistic approach to learning. Equally important to the knowledge students gain during our trips, including the eco-retreat and the community engagement encounters, is focusing on students' inner development - building the inner skills and mindset that, joined with knowledge, lead to transformational change. To reflect this, we integrated the new Inner Development Goals Framework into our program model," said Alvernia University Associate Director of Sustainability and Sustainable Misfits Executive Director, Dr. Alicia Sprow. "What I love about this trip and Sustainable Misfits is that it aligns with the values and goals of Alvernia and our Office of Institutional Sustainability. The foundation that the five founders gained from being at Alvernia helped to form the essence of Sustainable Misfits. I use this same model with our students at the EcoHouse, in my classes, and with our student clubs." The students stay at Castalia Marsh Retreat, owned by retired sea captain James Bates, complete with tiny homes, composting toilets, recycled items that have been artfully built into the structures, and a central gathering place to come together for meals and conversation. They tour the island to gain a better understanding of the community and industries on which they rely. Students work alongside community members and organizations on service projects and planning discussions. The five main program outcomes of this trip include skill and knowledge development around community building, effective communication, systems thinking, innovative leadership, and supportive followership. "During my trip to Grand Manan, having the opportunity to interact with the local community and explore the island's beauty, I learned the invaluable lesson of slowing down and appreciating life's simpler pleasures," said Teresa Keithley. "With its small population and remote location, the island portrayed a sense of tranquility much different from the life I have returned home to, especially working in Philadelphia. This experience has inspired me to incorporate more balance and mindfulness into my daily routine at home. Along with enjoying the nightly dinners together and exploring the Eco-Retreat, I especially enjoyed the cold plunge into the ocean and the team-building games we did together on the beach afterward."

Dane Sabarese, junior communication major and O'Pake Fellow has been selected for a prestigious opportunity to explore Thailand's expansive sports culture. Sabarese will participate in Living Sport's international sports business program that provides students with unique opportunities to experience cultural immersion and professional development in the sports industry. "I was honestly pretty shell-shocked, and I still don't think it has hit me yet that I will be working overseas for a couple of weeks," explained Sabarese. "When I was applying for Internships in the summer, it was one of those where you just applied and threw up a hail mary [prayer]."

Assistant Professor of Biology Jamie Becker, Ph.D. and Environmental Science Major Alexander Kabrich embarked on a field expedition this summer in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Becker and Kabrich partnered with the Amazon Center for Environmental Education and Research (ACEER) Foundation and the Delaware Teachers Institute (DTI) at the University of Delaware on this expedition. They traveled alongside a team of international scientists focused on conservation efforts in collaboration with the native indigenous group of Northern Peru, the Maijuna. Becker and Kabrich were critical members of this scientific endeavor, which focused on DNA sequencing techniques. "When you experience this incredible amount of biodiversity that is surrounding us, you really get a direct look at the incredible variety of life that our planet can sustain and support," said Becker. "Being able to bring the next generation of researchers into these experiences, expose them to unique experiences, and be able to see what it's really like to get out there, to get into the field... is incredibly rewarding."

Seven Alvernia University students & alums studied abroad through the Sustainability Immersion Program in Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada. This trip is a 1-week study abroad experience for college students to better understand the components of creating a more sustainable community and the leadership approach necessary to help create this change. "At the heart of the Canada sustainability immersion trip is the adventure-based group learning program developed and facilitated by the Sustainable Misfits, a nonprofit organization founded by five Alvernia alumni," said Sustainable Misfits Executive Director & Alvernia University Assistant Professor of Leadership, Dr. Alicia Sprow. The program's focus is to guide young adults on how to effectively cultivate a caring, resilient community of people who make a positive impact on others and the environment." The students stay at an eco-retreat complete with tiny homes, composting toilets, recycled items that have been artfully built into the structures, and a central gathering place to come together for meals and conversation. They tour the island to gain a better understanding of the community and industries on which they rely. Students work alongside community members and organizations on service projects and planning discussions. "The place we stayed was made out of an old ship, with different parts of the gathering place and other areas being made from different parts of the ship, so you are truly embracing and practicing sustainability," said rising senior psychology major, Alettya Zalapa-Alonso. "It made me want to learn more. I think I can say for every one that went, that the Island and its residence were absolutely wonderful. The overall experience that Grand Manan leaves is magical, not only by its scenery but the history you can learn about transformation, adaptability, and the beauty that can be found even when it's foggy out." The five main program outcomes this trip yields include skill and knowledge development around community building, effective communication, systems thinking, innovative leadership, and supportive followership. "The trip was a magical experience," said digital media marketing graduate, Noah Rizzo '21. "The word magic was a constant theme in Grand Manan, this is a special place where people go to experience things they have never seen before. The immersive experience of staying in an eco-retreat reminds many students there is a simpler way of life and the value in that. One of the best features of the Canada trip is the connection students experience with nature and others as screen time is down significantly."

Christina Walko, Karis Howell, Alexander Kabrich, Morgan Harig-Cook, and Emma Groff spent two weeks studying biodiversity in Costa Rica alongside Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Josh Hayes and Associate Professor of Biology and Physical Therapy, Dr. Eric Recktenwald. They partnered with Dr. Stephen Mech and Dr. Bethanne Bruninga-Socolar, professors from Albright College who brought students from their Tropical Ecology of Costa Rica course. "Our trip to Costa Rica was designed to offer a real-world experience of the country with the highest biodiversity density in the world," said Rektenwald. "We explored tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, cloud forests, and both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Students were exposed to the intricacies of a conservation initiative, met with an indigenous tribe, and considered the ethics of ecotourism and sustainability - all in the presence of sloths, spider monkeys, pumas, tapirs, tree frogs, toucans, etc."

Assistant professor of biology Jamie Becker and environmental science major Alexander Kabrich joined a team of teachers, artists, and researchers in the Peruvian Amazon to pilot new methods for capturing and sequencing environmental DNA (eDNA). In collaboration with the ACEER Foundation and the Delaware Teachers Institute at the University of Delaware, Kabrich and Becker traveled to the Loreta region of Peru, where they learned traditional ecological knowledge from the Maijuna indigenous community of Sucusari. "One of the major things I pulled from this trip is how vast the ecosystems of the Earth can really be. I would recommend this trip to others because it provides a good insight into what I had learned in classes at Alvernia. I was able to apply some of my knowledge directly while in the field," said Kabrich,

Eight third-year Alvernia nursing students accompanied professor Dr. Tracy Scheirer to Dingle, Ireland to study transcultural nursing to foster cultural competency to enhance their patients' care. Students had class Monday-Friday and after classes, the students were able to experience local culture by participating in various activities. They also hard from a variety of speakers, ranging from Ukranian refugees to local healthcare workers.

Alvernia University physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) students and faculty served patients in a nine-day interdisciplinary, intercollegiate clinical study abroad experience across five local community organizations in Belmopan, Belize. "Our goal was to provide sustainable education first and, second, rehabilitation," said Dr. Robin Zappin, assistant professor of physical therapy Alvernia University. "We wanted to teach as many healthcare workers and community members about wellness, prevention and rehabilitation as possible to avoid 'combat therapy' where you drop in, do something and leave. Students created presentations, posters and pamphlets to leave with the community members based on their needs." Alvernia University's PT and OT students and faculty partnered with Misericordia University's speech-language pathology (SLP) program and Bellarmine University's PT program on this transformational study abroad service trip. They worked together in Mercy Clinic, Help Age Belize, the YWCA, LIFE, and the Inspiration Center in Belize. "Unlike here in the United States, the people of Belize are not as fortunate as we are here with accessibility and quality of healthcare available," said Zachary Wanner, PT student at Alvernia University. "It was very important for myself and the students from the other disciplines that I had never met before to come together and determine the major concerns and develop a concise plan with very limited to no resources available to us. It truly amazed me how in such little time, we were able to not only treat the patient based on their individual needs, but also instruct the caregivers on how to continue the care, progress the interventions when gains were met, and utilize household objects to help aide progression of their care." This interdisciplinary, intercollegiate model allowed the students to collaborate as professionals in their industry while developing an understanding of their patients' needs for treatment from professionals across other disciplines. "It was amazing to see each discipline address specific concerns and treat them so well," said Ashley Martins, OT student at Alvernia University. "It was very patient-centered and efficient. My biggest takeaway is the respect that each discipline has for one another and how an interdisciplinary team can truly address each concern that an individual may have to provide truly patient-centered care and improve their overall quality of life. We all learned a lot from each other, and we will be better occupational and physical therapists in the future because of this experience." Prior to treating patients and throughout their trip, the entire group of students and faculty made it a priority to become immersed in the Belizian culture. They traveled to the Belize Zoo, which is a destination cherished by Belizians, as well as toured the Mayan Ruins, another historically and culturally significant archaeological site, among other activities. "I honestly never experienced such gratitude and kindness from people before," said Wanner. "It did not matter if the people had to walk three miles to get to a clinic that I was working at, or if they had to wait three hours to be seen for 40 minutes; the amount of gratitude given was astronomical. What really spoke to me the most was to what lengths the people of Belize were willing to do to be seen by students from the United States. I have countless people that I was blessed with treating over my week in Belize that stated that 'You were a gift from God' and asked, 'Is it ok if I pray for you?' following a treatment session. The community was so welcoming and willing to share their life with me, and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of this service-learning experience."

Assistant Professor of Leadership & Healthcare Science and Sustainability Initiatives Director, Dr. Alicia Sprow, traveled with six students and three alumni to Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada as a part of the Sustainability Global Immersion Program that introduces students to an efficient, sustainable island community in partnership with the Castalia Marsh Eco-Retreat and Grand Manan Community Museum. During the immersion experience, students provide service alongside community members, while they learn about leadership for sustainable change and sustainable living principles as well as expand their worldviews and exposure to other cultures during regular interactions with the island residents.

College students are studying abroad this summer through a program at Alvernia University.

College students are studying abroad this winter and spring through a program at Alvernia University.

Four Alvernia students will take part in a Franciscan Leadership Pilgrimage opportunity in Assisi, Italy this winter, funded by the university.

Local students are studying abroad in Dingle, Ireland this January through a program at Alvernia University.

Local students are spending asemester studying abroad in New Zealand and China through a program at Alvernia University.

Local students are spending the spring 2016 semester studying abroad in England and Ireland through a program at Alvernia University.

Education major Sage Angelisanti is spending this semester studying abroad through Alvernia University.

Led by Drs. Carrie Fitzpatrick and Adam Heinze, eight Alvernia students will apply their studies of water filtration to the barrio in the Dominican Republic.

Alvernia students are spending a semester abroad through the university's Study Abroad program.

The following local students are spending this semester studying abroad through a program at Alvernia University:

Nursing major Natalie Lucas is spending this semester studying abroad through Alvernia University.

Two Alvernia University students were selected to participate in the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities' Franciscan Pilgrimage during winter break.

The following local students will spend the upcoming semester studying abroad through a program at Alvernia University:

The following local students will spend the upcoming semester studying abroad through a program at Alvernia University:

The following local students will spend the fall semester studying abroad through a program at Alvernia University: