Argentina UCaSal Zoom COIL Story Circle Reflection
I think the story circle session with UCaSal students went well and I enjoyed meeting and learning a little more about them and I thought their openness during our discussion was great as it helps extend beyond more surface level topics that seem to always be in rotation especially during small talk. The guiding question to answer while in our break-out rooms encouraged us to dig deeper by stirring up light and uncomfortable memories of times when we felt community/ acceptance. Soccer in Argentina is a unifier in much the same way it is for Latin America as a whole, both UCaSal students mentioned the spectacle and passion of fans rooting on their team.
I am interested in a lot of what Irish author, Sally Rooney, has to say and in an interview with the Louisiana Channel (6:29) she mentioned that in her writing she likes to explore the relationships between her characters and how social structures impact their dynamic. In that same vein, it is a bit jarring to think back on interactions I have had with anyone or imagine interactions I will have with those I have yet to meet – other students, professors, coworkers, etc because of that fact – social structures are impacting us all the time and although, in this case, I was talking with other college students and enjoying our exchange – broadening the scope beyond our conversation, there lies an infrastructure that dictates, guides, and influences our break-out room session.
Personally I related a lot to them and what each had to say, in large part because we’re all Latino, sharing a common background. I can picture them easily fitting into my high school, seeing them in class, seeing them grow and change year after year as we catch glimpses of each other with our changing schedules. Being at Wes, I lack that familiarity, it is not a bad thing, however it is a point of contention that has really stuck out to me. I am rubbing shoulders with others who are so far removed from what I know and it works both ways. You mentioned in the prompt for this reflection that UCaSal is different from AUC and Wes, it is, and I am interested in value – the ways in which institutions are valued and venerated and how they measure up locally compared to others within a country and extending beyond – how in one context it is better to go to UCaSal but how it could also be “better” to go to Wes. I hate that contrived distinction – there are brilliant people everywhere, and for some it may not actually be better to go to Wes over a state school or community college for example.
