Storytelling Home and Away
Collaboration Across Continents with FLCA Guatemala
Our Mission
Over the past four years, this remarkable program has transported eager learning students to the heart of rural Guatemala, where they have forged profound connections and engaged in authentic, real-world learning experiences.
Values
Cultivate Collaboration
Forge interdisciplinary partnerships with local and international organizations, enriching the educational experience.
Embrace Innovation
Integrate cutting-edge media technologies into storytelling methodologies, keeping pace with the digital landscape.
Champion Sustainability
Create a robust and ethical storytelling framework that uplifts and supports local communities, ensuring lasting impact.
Empower Growth
Elevate student leadership, adaptability, and professional development through engaging in real-world projects together.
Expand Horizons
Broaden the program to encompass a variety of international destinations, offering students a glimpse into diverse cultures.
Goals
Experimental Learning
& Development
Provide students with enriching opportunities to engage in photography, videography, and digital storytelling in culturally diverse settings.
Cultural Exchange
& Global Awareness
Nurture meaningful cross-cultural interactions that build bridges of understanding and ethical storytelling collaboration.
Community Engagement
& Impact
Collaborate with local communities to document stories and create media projects that amplify diverse voices and narratives.
Professional Growth
& Industry Readiness
Equip students with essential media skills and build portfolios showcasing global storytelling expertise.
Testimonials
“
This allowed me to experience things unlike nowhere else in the world and learn about the culture.
Sarah
Professor
“
The impact is had on my world was life-changing and I was given the gift that these places can only provide.
Nancy
Professor
“
The impact is had on my world was life-changing and I was given the gift that these places can only provide.
Rebecca Jones
Professor
Many students cited this experience as a defining moment in their educational experience at Durham, shaping their career paths and broadening their perspectives on global media practices.
Why Students Participated
Throughout this four-year project, students participated in Storytelling Home and Away to gain hands on experience in media production, cultural immersion, and global collaboration. Through working directly with communities in Guatemala, students deepened their understanding of ethical storytelling, developed professional portfolios, and built meaningful relationships with peers and local storytellers.
This initiative fostered a profound sense of mutual learning, ensuring that the exchange of knowledge was not only meaningful but also impactful for both students and community members, leaving a legacy of growth and understanding.
Engagement with
Indigenous Communities
As an integral facet of the program, students delved deeply into the heart of Indigenous communities in Las Arrugas an integral facet of the program, students delved deeply into the heart of Indigenous communities in Las Arrugas, San Felipe, Chenlá, and Ojo de Agua, Guatemala. These invaluable experiences gifted them rich cultural insights and solidified cross-cultural connections. Collaborating with local youth mentors, students imparted essential media skills, including photography, videography, and storytelling techniques.
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