MLO 5: Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion
When looking at cultural internalization we can see how we are called to be immersed in authentic experiences in cultural as well as linguistic environments. Due to the challenges faced during the global COVID-19 pandemic, this outcome was difficult to fulfill as traveling was unsafe. Nevertheless, through the use of the Spanish language and being called to participate in environments virtually in which we are called to speak solely in Spanish, I was able to replicate the idea of cultural immersion and internalization. To create that experience , I relied on a service learning course (Service Learning in the Chicano / Latino Community). In this course we were fully immersed in sharing dialogue in Spanish and we were also entrusted in helping the community through volunteer work. One assignment/activity that helped me achieve the cultural internalization of the major was through my service learning site The Central Coast Citizenship Project. Here I was tasked to help with reviewing citizenship questions with non-English speakers. Part of my duties involved helping non-English speakers to practice their English communication skills. This helped my cultural internalization as I was able to also apply what I have used in my other university courses to teach English to a Spanish speaker. The Service learning volunteering opportunity reflects the cultural internalization piece of the major. Another course in which cultural internalization was implemented was in my Hispanic Cinema course (SPAN325) as this course would introduce us to different styles of cinema within the countries of Latinamerica and how political problems are found within the different films studied in the course. One example of a major assignment of this course that falls in line with what was taught in class was the final paper in which we discussed the aesthetic approaches and social issues according to the film analyzed.