Journey to El Salvador Engages Students in Service & Learning

“After two weeks traveling and working in El Salvador, our students come back with a nuanced understanding of the impact of U.S. foreign policy abroad, what it takes for a nation to recover from civil war and a sense of their role in the global community.” –Moakley Institute Director Julia Collins Howington
Students, staff and faculty begin their journey of learning and service in El Salvador.

Students, staff and faculty begin their journey of learning and service in El Salvador.

Students are learning about Salvadoran history and working on a Habitat for Humanity home-building project in the town of Suchitoto during the University’s seventh annual service-learning trip to El Salvador.

“It's great to see another group of Suffolk students embark in a journey of learning, serving and following Suffolk alumni connections beyond our campus, our city and our country,” said Director of Service Learning Carolina Garcia.

Students will meet former guerrilla fighters as well as the government officials they opposed during the Salvadoran civil war that raged for a dozen years, ending in 1992.

Salvadoran murals recall the internecine struggle of the '80s and early '90s.

They will retrace the steps of the late Congressman Joe Moakley, whose investigation of the murders of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter opened the door to Salvadoran peace.

“The importance of international study and service was best summed up by Mark Twain, who famously said ‘travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,’” said University Archivist and Moakley Institute Director Julia Collins Howington, who often has accompanied the delegation to El Salvador.

“After two weeks traveling and working in El Salvador, our students come back with a nuanced understanding of the impact of U.S. foreign policy abroad, what it takes for a nation to recover from civil war and a sense of their role in the global community,” she said.

The service-learning journey is co-sponsored by the Moakley Institute at Suffolk University and Suffolk’s Organization for Uplifting Lives through Service, or S.O.U.L.S.

REFLECTIONS FROM EL SALVADOR

"Our time here has made me realize that one of the most important parts of being a human is being open to the possibility of change … in the way we think and act, the way we perceive and treat those around us, and in how we lay the foundations for future generations.” –Kirstin Mulvaney

"There is nothing better than traveling to a foreign place with a group of people and learning about another way of life together. I know I'll remember this trip for the rest of my life.” –Aaron Lumnah

"The tranquility and contentment I feel here does not compare to anything I've felt before. The hot weather and the beautiful green landscape is reflected in the warmth and hopefulness of the Salvadoran people.” –Elsy Naveo

"The people who endured so much during their civil war are truly inspiring despite the conditions in which they live. The love they have for each other as well as anyone who will listen to their story is something I have never experienced before."  –Patrick O'Brien

"Learning from the people of El Salvador--seeing the incredible resilience, joy, and love for one another, especially in the wake of a brutal civil war of just twenty years ago--has thus far been an incredible experience and I cannot wait to see what the next week in this beautiful country can teach us all about being human.” –Caitlin Lezell

"We have all had to face our fears, emotions, and discomfort without any distractions; no phones, Facebook, or iPads--it's just been us and our journals. What a scary thing to actually encounter these things, and what a gift.” –Caroline McHeffey