What are the first things that come to mind when you think of Latin America?
One of the first observations I made when I was back on campus after my semester abroad was about students’ perceptions of Latin America, which I use to refer to both Central and South America. Despite the growing number of Latin American students on campus, there seems to be little talk about Latin America. Not only were the perceptions I observed or heard often stereotypes, misconceived or generalized, there were very few perceptions of Latin America at all—at least amongst the student body. That is not to say that there isn’t an interest, but rather a disconnect. It is a kind of disconnect between Duke students and this area of the world. This, in turn, creates a lack of awareness and misunderstandings about life and opportunities in Latin America.
In a previous column I wrote about the relatively small number of students who choose to study abroad in Latin America versus those who study abroad in Europe and the United Kingdom. There are various reasons for this disproportion, some of which are made apparent in the type of reactions I receive when I tell students on campus about my semester abroad in Brazil. The responses tend to generally fall into two categories. One group assumes it was a service program of some kind and asks about how I dealt with “all the violence” they hear so much about. Others praise me on “being different” in my choice of location and ask me whether I would ever consider going back. The reactions I get from my well-intentioned peers reveal the incomplete picture people have of Brazil and Latin America in general. While there is validity in some of the reactions I have received, there is also so much we can learn from Latin America as it has so much to offer. By having a greater awareness, we have a better sense of the endless opportunities—work, travel, study—we can pursue.
This is where Desarrolla comes in. Desarrolla is a campus organization started by two Duke students to fill this very gap. In 2014 as a sophomore and first year respectively, Gabriela Asturias from Guatemala and Camilia Vargas from Colombia founded Desarrolla because they wanted to transmit to other students their love for their countries and their passion for staying connected to them. This is how Desarrolla was born: an organization full of passionate students who want to inspire others to help their countries. The organization strives to contribute to the development of Latin America by encouraging partnerships between the Duke community and entities on the continent.
Another, more recent initiative of Desarrolla focuses on shining a light on the Latin American presence on campus and creating a space in which students are more aware not only of the misconceptions but of the immense opportunities in the continent. Humans of Latin America, modeled after Humans of New York, is a photo and story campaign on Facebook that highlights personal insights and experiences of Duke students (and soon faculty) on campus from all over Latin America. “The goal of our campaign goes far beyond changing people's perspectives about Latin America. It is about bringing to light the idiosyncrasies that have always made the continent so special and fostering interest through powerful, personal stories," said Beatriz Gorostiaga, Desarrolla’s Marketing Director.
One recent Humans of Latin America post that caught my attention was from Lola Sanchez-Carrion, Trinity Freshman from Peru. I believe it captures the disconnect in understanding that exists here on campus and the need for an organization like Desarrolla at Duke. She reflects on the lack of awareness of her background and culture:
"At Duke, when people have asked me where I’m from and I say I’m Peruvian, I’ve received all sorts of responses, like: 'Do you have cars there?' 'Is there McDonalds?', 'Do you guys use Google?', among others. Although such responses seem logical to those who have never visited or learned about Peru, they also highlight the perpetual disconnect that exists between Latin American countries, like Peru, and the United States. I wish that people could see that Peru is more than just the country where Machu Picchu is located."
Connecting to Latin America starts with forming connections here on campus.
On campus, Desarrolla partners with various groups on campus to organize speaker panels, information sessions, blog posts and gatherings for students to learn more about the continent and get connected to service, travel and job opportunities. In addition, every summer a team works with DGHI faculty member David Boyd and a local organization on Mayan child health. Together, these initiatives are shining a light on people, needs and opportunities from Guatemala to Argentina.
To learn more about Latin America and to get involved with the organization, check out Desarrolla’s event, “Connecting to Latin America,” happening tonight! This event will bring together professors and students involved and interested with Latin America. This is a fantastic opportunity for students who will be studying abroad or doing research to mingle with those who have experience with this continent or to just learn more about how you can be further involved with projects in Latin America.
Through the freedom to make choices and the education we have received, we, as a campus filled with diverse and globally minded citizens, have an obligation to help create a campus that is more aware and better informed. Groups like Desarrolla and others at Duke give us the tools to do just that.
Sofia Stafford is a Trinity junior. Her column runs on alternate Wednesdays.
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