Spring Intensive in Little Haiti:
Community Development & Resilience
Little Haiti: Community Development and Resilience introduces students to the issues and ethics of development, service, and civic engagement both domestically and abroad. Through a holistic lens, students will learn the impacts (both successes and failures) that development efforts can have on the communities they aim to serve. We will explore case studies from both Haiti (often referred to as the "Republic of NGOs") and Little Haiti, Miami, to learn about the importance of a community-driven approach as a model for sustainable development. Students will complete pre-travel online modules and class sessions, followed by experiential learning in Little Haiti, Miami, home of the largest Haitian Diaspora in the world. Students will gain an understanding of best practices in community-based development by interviewing Haitian leaders of best practice non-profit development organizations to learn through real life examples about the methods, challenges, and impact of a community based approach to development in our local communities and internationall
y.
This program is perfect for students from all majors with an interest in development, social enterprise, environmental justice, health policy, non-profits, sociology, political science, and francophone / diaspora studies.
This program is sponsored by the Pennoni Honors College (PHC) and open to students participating in any PHC program (Custom Design Majors, STAR scholars, Honors program).
Participants in this program will:
- Learn about multiple perspectives in development through an international (Haiti) and local (Little Haiti) context
- Understand key factors influencing success and failure of development efforts locally and abroad
- Understand the value and impact of a community based approach to development
- Recognize the impact of climate gentrification on underresourced and underserved communities
- Appreciate the importance of a holistic approach to community work that recognizes history, culture, and language
- Be able to assess service and volunteer opportunities for best practices
Credit/Registration: Students will be registered for HNRS T380 Community Development & Resilience, 3 credits as part of their spring term course load. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load when registering or will be billed for credits exceeding the 20 credit maximum.
Course Structure & Requirements
- Pre-Travel: 4 in person sessions (below) and BBLearn dynamic readings and audio/visual materials, discussion board posts, and reflective writing assignment to prepare for experiential learning in Little Haiti
- Little Haiti: program activities, interviews with community leaders, and peer led group discussions
- Post Travel: 1 wrap up session; final project
Instructors: Ahaji Schreffler, Senior Director, Education Abroad (ahaji@drexel.edu) and Adam Zahn, Director, Global Engagement (alz26@drexel.edu)
Spring Term Group Meetings 5:00 pm - 7:00pm (day of week TBD)
Students who are not in the Philadelphia must attend class via Zoom.
- Week 1: Lecture and discussion
- Week 3: Lecture and discussion
- Week 5: Lecture and discussion
- Week 7: Pre-departure orientation
- Week 9: Travel (below)
Little Haiti, Miami Travel Dates*
Start: Wednesday May 24, 2023 (morning arrival)
End: Saturday May 27, 2023 (evening departure)
*Travel takes place during week 9 of spring term. A letter of support from the instructors will be provided for excused absence.
Itinerary Highlights
- Site visits and interviews with Haitian non-profit leaders
- Participation in language exchange with Haitian English Language learners
- Tour of Haitian Cultural Center, local Haitian businesses, and art
- Group discussions and reflections
- Afternoon at the beach
Due March 15th - $300 Advanced Payment + $25 Application Fee
Due April 15th - $350 Final Payment
All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
*This program fee has been generously subsidized to reduce student expenses.
Included in Program Fee:
- Accommodations with triple occupancy
- 2 group dinners
- All program site visits and tours
- Local transport to program activities
Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):
- Regular Drexel tuition
- Flight Philadelphia to/from Miami $250
- Airport transfers (ride share or taxi) airport $60
- Meals $150
Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so may make students’ eligible for additional financial aid.
- A suggested round trip flight PHL > MIA will be provided with arrival and return times that align with the program itinerary. Students will be responsible for booking their own airfare accordingly.
