10 am presentations

10 am

In-person session in PSU 137 A (Calloway Peak room)

Big Questions on Whether and How to Study Abroad. And Big Answers from Students who just did it in Germany.

2nd study abroad panel

Big Questions on Whether and How to Study Abroad. And Big Answers from Students who just did it.

by Beverly Moser and students

A recently shared statistic revealed that while in some cases 50% of college students want to study abroad, in reality, only 5% of students, and sometimes even fewer than this, actually go on to achieve this in programs that last more than a few weeks. Even a rich, but very short program has value of course, but what can we do to encourage further study abroad? Deeper study? Or maybe serial study abroad?

This “from students, for students (and their advisors)” presentation shows four successful models of timing/type of study abroad, from full-semester programs, to short-term faculty led options, to a combination of the two. Five student presenters represent four colleges of our university. All of them found ways, despite the hassles and a bit of extra work up front, to make this work for them. They will share their insights (see what the “Big Questions” are, below) and whether it became the life-changing experience they had hoped for.

All of them successfully leveraged existing grants and awards to fund the experience, so can share touch points with the audience on how to find these things.

Returnees will address these bigger questions in turn, showing how even non-humanities majors can make study abroad workable—thus providing the life-changing experience it has always promised to be.

10 am

In-person sessions in PSU 137B (Macrae Peak room)

Employment Discrimination Against Latino Migrants in the United States

Health Care Journey through the eyes of a Spanish speaking immigrant

Employment Discrimination Against Latino Migrants in the United States

by Hadasa Rivera Marin and Adrienne Erazo

Our presentation will analyze the connection between exploitation and migration to demonstrate that several U.S. companies’ prioritization of cheaper labor has direct consequences on migrant workers’ lives and health. From the very beginning, immigrants have been a vital part of the US economy; however, even with their contributions, there are many immigrants, specifically undocumented, who endure unfavorable working conditions due to lack of opportunities and discriminatory practices. We will be exploring the factors that enable systemic violence between employers and migrant workers, as well as how that directly relates to income inequality, lack of access to adequate healthcare, and even education inequality amongst future generations.

Health Care Journey through the eyes of a Spanish speaking immigrant

by Stephany Morales Melendez

Over the past years, there have been more anti-immigration laws created to make migration for undocumented immigrants harder. The United States gets a significant number of immigrants every day. A large portion of these immigrants are from Spanish-speaking countries. They travel for days in conditions that make it harder to migrate. During this process, they start to face a lot of health issues such as dehydration, malnutrition, infections, trauma, amputations, etc. This only gets harder when they get to the United States because of the lack of medical attention for undocumented people. The migration process is difficult as it is but living in the United States as an immigrant is another barrier they face. From discrimination, to fear of deportation, language barriers, and much more. As someone who is a daughter of immigrant parents, I have personally experienced and seen the health care system fail them. The problem I will focus on is the accessibility of health care for undocumented immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries living in the United States, and the role played to bridge this gap by non-profit organizations, churches, and others. They help this vulnerable population seek some sort of medical attention. As someone who has personally volunteered with a non-profit organization that has helped the immigrant community, I have observed their ability to host pop-ups, find affordable clinics, give out resources like menstrual products and so much more. This an important problem to bring awareness to because a lot of people aren’t educated on it.

10 am

In-person session in PSU 137C (Attic Window room)

Julian Kytasty and Legacy: Linking Ukraine and the United States through the medium of the Bandura

by Laurie Semmes and Julian Kytasty

The bandura is an instrument beloved by Ukrainians. A plucked, lute-type stringed instrument, the bandura is imbued with the several centuries-long history of Ukrainian ethnic resilience. As the outgrowth of the lute-like kobza, the bandura holds the legacy of Ukrainian history through its association with the Cossack horsemen who protected Ukraine from multiple takeovers, then as purveyor of historic and religious songs and news of the day by blind musicians (many of whom were executed through the Stalinist purges of WWII), all the way up to the present conflict with Russia. Julian Kytasty is a contemporary, Ukrainian-American, fourth-generation bandurist who embodies the legacy of performance and instruction as the grand-nephew of Hryhory Kytasty, the conductor of the official Soviet bandurist chorus when its members managed to immigrate to Detroit, Michigan after the end of the Second World War. Julian has devoted his life to introducing the sound and history of the bandura, and Ukrainian culture in general to non-Ukrainian audiences, while reaffirming Ukrainian culture for members of Ukrainian diaspora communities in the U.S., South America, and Canada. Julian’s most recent work includes a performance for the Library of Congress “Homegrown Concerts” series last May (2022), as well as a four-part documentary series entitled “Ukrainian Culture in America: Julian Kytasty & Bandura Tradition in the Diasporas.” Produced by The New York-based Yara Arts Group, the last episode of the series is being released this month.

10 am

In-person session in PSU 122 (Roan Mt. room)

Design in the Netherlands and Belgium: A Fulbright Experience

by Richard Elaver

This presentation will take a Fulbright journey, outlining the process of applying for and completing a Fulbright Fellowship in the Netherlands, the lasting impact that has had on my research and teaching, and opportunities available to AppState students. I completed a Fulbright in the Netherlands in 2005-6, in the field of Industrial Design, where I worked with a prominent design firm in Amsterdam and studied Design History in Leiden. That experience has led to multiple Faculty-led study abroad programs for AppState students, and a formal exchange relationship between AppState and Howest University College in Belgium. Along the way, I will offer advice and guidance for others that may be interested in studying/researching abroad, highlighting Fulbright Fellowships and the NCS (Nationally Competitive Scholarships Committee) on our campus. I have received a small grant from the US Fulbright Program to spread the word about Fulbright scholarship opportunities by sharing my Fulbright story in k-college schools, particularly in low-income and culturally diverse areas. I am also exhibiting work at the Turchin Center with a group of faculty (Nov-May), and can show some of my current work that evolved from my time in the Netherlands. Presenter Bio: Richard Elaver is a designer and metalsmith exploring the overlapping spheres of art, design and technology. In his work, Elaver integrates the tools of industrial design with the craft of metalsmithing. In 2006, he completed a Fulbright Fellowship in the Netherlands where he worked with Droog Design and studied the history of design at the University of Leiden. Following several years of work experience both as a jeweler and industrial designer, he now teaches in Appalachian State University’s Department of Applied Design. Website: https://www.richardelaver.com/