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My Time in Salvador, Brazil

Melitta spent a month at a Brazilian university putting in to context theory and content she had learn whilst at Goldsmiths.

From May to June 2024, I spent 1 month as a visiting student at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) in Salvador, Brazil.

Through the module Decolonizing English Language Teaching taught by Dr. Alessia Cogo, I had to learn about research and practices in the decolonisation of ELT. The “ELT in Brazil” field led by Dr. Savio Siqueira at UFBA encourages epistemic disobedience and de- linking in relation to Western-centered views, so my time at UFBA stimulated critical thinking and academic engagement on the relevant topics and was greatly complementary to my studies on the MA MLE programme at Goldsmiths.

At UFBA, I had the invaluable opportunity to observe English lessons for the local community and UFBA students and staff taught by pre-service teachers; collect data for my own dissertation on translanguaging in ELT classes; engage in academic exchange through research meetings with students and professors.

My experience of Salvador and Brazil was greatly enriched by a 3-day hike through the valleys of Chapa Diamantina, coupled with a reading of Crooked Plough (set in the hinterlands of Bahia, written by Brazilian Itamar Vieira Junior and translated by Johnny Lorenz), visits to above-ground, underground, and underwater sights of Salvador and endless conversations about the social, political, environmental and educational challenges of the region and country with my peers-turned-lifelong friends from UFBA.

This Go Abroad opportunity has introduced Brazilian Portuguese to my linguistic repertoire and enriched my intercultural communication skills, refreshing my motivation to complete my dissertation and get back in to teaching.

Working With Youth in Aruba – Pt 2

Liselle sourced a volunteering opportunity with YWAM in Aruba and successfully applied for funding to help towards the costs. Read part two of her experience below.

Reflecting on my time in Aruba, I’m reminded of how crucial YWAM’s long-term presence is in fostering sustainable change. During my second week, we ran the kids’ creative club from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In the third and fourth weeks, my routine shifted to regularly assisting with the Homeless Project and the Women’s Project, while continuing to see my individual clients.

I encourage students to seriously consider taking the opportunity to go abroad. It’s a chance to gain invaluable experience and grow both personally and professionally. Here are my top tips:

Maintain clear communication with the host organization you’ll work with to ensure a smooth experience.
Bring a first aid kit and antihistamines, especially in a tropical climate.
Research the local culture beforehand to help you better integrate and understand the community you’re working in.
Stay flexible and open-minded- things might not always go as planned, but adaptability will help you make the most of the experience.

Volunteering with YWAM in Aruba was a transformative experience that left a lasting impression on me. It provided invaluable insights into the complexities of community work and the resilience required to address deep-seated social issues. My challenges underscored the importance of perseverance and empathy in making a positive impact. Through my efforts, I contributed to YWAM’s mission of building strong and healthy families while experiencing significant personal and professional growth. This journey reaffirmed my commitment to community service and the belief that even small contributions can make a big difference.

Working with Youth in Aruba

Liselle sourced a volunteering opportunity with YWAM in Aruba and successfully applied for funding to help towards the costs. Read part one of her experience below.

I feel extremely privileged to have had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for four weeks this summer on this small, 20-mile-long Caribbean Island. Unlike much of the Caribbean, which experiences humid tropical climates, Aruba has dry climate with an arid xeric landscape.

I approached the process of securing my placement by first reflecting on my personal interests and identifying organisations that provide therapeutic support to young people. Rather than focusing on a specific country, my primary consideration was the mission and values of the organisations. After conducting research, I reached out to five different branches by sending tailored emails to each one. I had 2 interviews and then submitted a proposal for a therapeutic creative intervention.

Fiji Journal

Zara successfully applied for funding towards the costs of a volunteer placement in Fiji with Think Pacific. Read below about Zara’s month abroad.

I found my placement through Think Pacific’s Instagram page, which led me directly to their website. The application process was straightforward—I applied online and heard back from them within a week.

My experience abroad was incredible, offering insight into Fijian culture and the chance at developing myself. One of the memories I’ll cherish forever is the deep connections formed between the UK volunteers and the Fijian youth. Witnessing strangers becoming friends and bonds growing stronger over time was beautiful. Participating in the mental health workshop and engaging with the Lomai Village was a memorable experience. Among my favourite moments were the times spent connecting with the younger children. Their energy and kindness left a lasting impression on me. We would dance to ‘Follow the leader’ on repeat every day, as the children loved it.

My daily routine in Lomai Village differed greatly to my usual life at home. I’d be woken up by the sound of chickens and start my day around 6:30 or 7:00 a.m., carefully emerging from my mosquito net and heading straight for a bucket shower or a wash in the river. After brushing my teeth outside, I’d get ready for the morning workshops. The daily workshops were different, but the workshops typically wrapped up around noon.

Placement at an Archeological Site in Greece

Graham Shackell, TaP student, received funding towards a summer placement at an archeological site in Greece. Read more below.

My Go abroad experience was a placement with National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan) at their archaeological site school at Toumba Serron, Greece. I was able to secure the placement by approaching the site director directly. Highlights of the placement include delivering a seminar/lecture on the archaeology and anthropology of performance to the site’s students, finds specialists, supervisors and directors of the project. Researching (ethnography), directing, devising, writing and performing the final performance at the end of the archaeological season was another highlight. The performance was both a dissemination of the archaeological data revealed in that season, an exposition of the daily life of the archaeological team, and an exploration via a ritual performance of the importance of water both to the local current inhabitants and of the inhabitants of the nearby neolithic site which was the subject of the excavation. As part of the research, I was also able to excavate, including a potentially highly important neolithic burial – the first of its kind in Northern Greece.

Research Fellowship (Psychology)

Aleksandra Orlova, a Masters student of Psychology spent her summer working and researching as a research fellow at a lab at the University of Vienna in Austria.

Myself and my co-supervisor and mentor, MacKenzie Trupp

During this summer, I had the fantastic opportunity to spend a month working as a research fellow at one of the leading labs in the field of Neuroaesthetics, specifically the Empirical Visual Aesthetics and ART*IS Lab at the University of Vienna’s Psychology Department.
My primary objective during this visit was to plan and collect data for my master’s thesis research project, all the while learning from and collaborating with researchers at the Lab. However, during this period, I also had the chance to participate in various other experiences and events taking place at the University of Vienna.

In addition to collecting data for my research, I had the privilege of assisting in a large-scale study conducted at the renowned Albertina museum. The study aimed to explore the psychological benefits of art viewing and the lasting impact it has after a museum visit. We designed an automated messaging system for survey completion and guided participants through the study at the Albertina Museum. As someone with a background in Art History, conducting scientific research amidst some of the greatest works of art was an incredibly exciting experience.

A group photo with the director (Matthew Pelowski) and some of the members of ART*IS lab

Volunteering in Kolkata, India

Cerys Jones, an undergraduate Media student, volunteered with the Missionaries of Charity in India for a little over a month. Read below part one of two sharing her account.

I am grateful for the incredible opportunity to have volunteered for six weeks during the summer in the unique city of Kolkata. One of India’s largest cities, this bustling, chaotic and magical metropolis is located in the state of West Bengal.

I came here to volunteer with the Missionaries of Charity organisation, a social care charity and religious order founded by Mother Teresa in 1950. Since then, this order’s nuns, staff and volunteers have been serving the city’s poorest and most vulnerable inhabitants, ranging from widows and orphans to those suffering from incurable disease and social exclusion, for example leprosy and HIV/ Aids patients. This organisation works tirelessly to improve living conditions for people in Kolkata, and has grown into an international movement seeking social justice and caring for the poorest of the poor. The Missionaries of Charity run homes in over 133 countries, but its first home was founded here in Kolkata by Mother Teresa.

picture of the front of a small truck-style vehicle with 'missionaries of charity' and a picture of Mother Teresa painted on the front

Artist Residency in Portugal

Floriana Mitchell, Anthropology student, spent a two months with Pada Studios in Portugal funded by the Turing Scheme.

The first step in finding my placement included reflecting on what kind of experience I wanted to have and what skills I would like to achieve. Thus, I decided to find an independent non-profit art space to experience how an independent art organisation is run whilst building connections with like-minded people in an international setting. I found an artist-run International Art Residency programme in Portugal through this site. I applied, completed the interview, and got an offer to spend a few months with them as an Art Residency Assistant.

During this period, I met many artists and creatives from all over the world. I got to know their art practices and processes of thinking, which was incredibly fulfilling, besides the benefit of reflecting on my own art practice and future perspectives. My job involved

a woman with her back to the camera looking out at a site on a sunny day different aspects of the programme including working with artists and assisting with opening receptions, as well as administrative duties. I also welcomed and interacted with the public, helped with exhibitions and photo documentation, and even researching funding. This experience gave me a comprehensive and detailed perception of how the space is managed and the residency is organised.

Working in the Vulvarium Studio (Austria)

Ella Clancy, BA Design student, received funding towards her work placement at the Vulvarium.

How did you source your placement?  

I followed Vulvarium on Instagram. I was super interested in their work and kept sliding into their DMs asking questions about their work as well as for internship opportunities. Viki, behind the account, replied to my questions and we had a good back and forth however it was always a ‘no’ to any internship enquiries. However, after gaining the grant from Santander, I managed to convince the Vulvarium Studio it was a great idea to take me on. Which of course it was. 

What were the highlights of your experience abroad?  

There were so many highlights to my experience abroad, the first one that springs to mind was what a pleasure it was making new friends. They each wanted to show me their favourite spots and homes, they took me on gorgeous hikes in the mountains and shared their rock-climbing kit with me as well as crazy queer raves that only the locals would know. These girls are now my friends for life, we talk on a weekly basis and they have already visited me in London for my birthday. I hope to meet them again next summer, and the summer after that… Another massive highlight was that I was able to learn skills I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance or the time for. As well as learn about subject areas I wouldn’t have touched upon at university. I learned so much about each woman I worked with predominantly about her relationship with her vulva and body. These kinds of conversations are something I am sure I would have never ever had without this internship and now it is like as second nature to me.

Internship in New York

Emily Bianconi, a BA Curating student, completed an internship in New York during the summer of her second year.

A young woman with sunglasses up on her head smiling at the camera with a view of a sunset and blue sky with the sun reflecting on the ocean in the backdrop

On the ferry to the Statue of Liberty

On the 1^st of July 2022 I left for New York, for an experience that would change my life. I was there for just over a month, working in the education department of the Queens Museum. The opportunity came earlier in the year when I had the idea to do an internship abroad. By speaking to my tutor about it, she told me about an opportunity that was intended for 3^rd year students but hadn’t had much attention from them. When she told me about it, I immediately knew it was perfect for me. I was a little tight with the application deadlines as I love a lastminute idea but fortunately I managed to send all the documents on time. The study abroad team at Goldsmiths are very helpful and quick to respond so it makes it a lot easier and less stressful to apply and have everything you need prepared for your departure.

When we got there, the staff at the Queens Museum had an induction day prepared for all the summer interns. They showed us around the museum, introduced us to all the people working there and guided us through their policies and projects for the future. I was placed in the education department where I had a desk and a supervisor. They were all very friendly and open to hearing our ideas and points of view. Me and the other girl working in the same sector ended up taking over a project and having our own space to completely organise an event aimed at starting conversations between teenagers around topics that are important to them. We also got the chance to help with all the events going on in the museum during the month. This was valuable as we got to test out other positions within the institution.

a room with tables and chairs set up along the sides and people working on them in groups

An event I helped organise