by Danny Herrera
My name is Danny Herrera and I am currently a senior at the 天美影视传媒 majoring in American ethnic studies with a minor in Education, Learning, and Society. I was born and raised in Yakima, Washington, and graduated from A.C. Davis High School in 2009. I am Mexican American and a first-generation college student. On campus I am a member of the Latino Student Union and Omega Delta Phi Fraternity Inc. Currently I am working on applying to graduate programs to receive my Elementary Masters in Teaching. The OMA&D student blog is the first blog I have ever participated in and I believe it will be a great learning experience.
My life-changing study abroad experience in Tahiti last summer, where I got to learn about the Polynesian culture and where I was introduced to the Tahitian saying, 鈥淢aeve I Te Ora鈥� which translates to 鈥淲elcome to life,鈥� really helped me break out of my shell and find my true identity. The program was through the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity and I decided to go on another study abroad, where I could explore a whole new culture. I wanted to do another program through the OMA&D because of the environment it built abroad and it was led by a faculty member in OMA&D. As an American ethnic studies major, I am glad to be part of this study abroad to Barbados, where I will get to explore a majority-Black country with a rich Black culture. In Barbados, I will also explore many topics of Black Cultural Studies and it will be captured through pictures/videos, micro blogging, and our encounters with the locals.
My journey begins with me packing all the things I will need abroad including my camcorder, 鈥淏ehind the Smile鈥� book, and an open mind/heart.