UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During the fall semester, students taking CRIM 451 had the opportunity to travel to Curacao as part of “Organized Crime in Curacao,” a program incorporated into the College of Liberal Arts. During the trip, students were able to immerse themselves in local culture while learning how race, crime, and justice impact cultures and communities across the island.
The trip was led by Howard Smith, a professor of criminology, and Sarah Henry, a graduate student in criminology. Smith has led the trip for many years and said how unique each experience has been.
“This is the ninth time I have led an embedded class in Curaçao. But each time I meet new people and visit new places, I am always learning new things with my students,” said Smith. Told. “I really enjoy getting to know my students better than I would in a normal classroom environment. Especially for students who have never traveled abroad before, I enjoy building new friendships and gaining a greater sense of self-confidence and independence. It’s fun to watch them go.” I hope this trip inspires them to explore more of the world. ”
Embedded courses are Penn State courses that can be taken on campus or online that include an element of short-term international travel. Mr. Smith’s students in his CRIM 451 class traveled to Curaçao last fall for fall break.
Julia Briselli, a fourth-year philosophy and communication arts and sciences double major from Hershey, Pennsylvania, was among the students in the class.
“Throughout the course, we learned about the relationship between race and criminal justice. A trip to Curaçao allowed us to experience how race affects communities outside of the United States.” said Briselli.
Laura Ellison, a third-year criminology and sociology major from Milford, Conn., spoke about Curacao’s historical background and how it shaped her understanding for the rest of the trip.
“We learned about the history and culture that created this island,” Ellison said. “We also learned that the history of slavery was a big factor on the island in terms of economic benefits. The island was colonized by the Dutch and their port was important in the Atlantic slave trade. The island is still used for oil and as a port. It is home to many immigrants, and the people have adapted to learning more than four languages.”
The trip also influenced Ellison’s career goals and made her even more passionate about inequality.
