State University of New York on study visit to St. Aloysius College

Mangaluru: A team of 11 students led by Dr. Jena Curtis, Professor and Chair of the Health Department, State University of New York, Cortland, US were on a study tour to St. Aloysius College (Autonomous). The team comprised Jennifer Nicols Curtis (Dr. Jena– Professor and leader of the team); Stefania Buta– Dr. Jena’s Assistant; and students, Anna L Capria; Barbara Alicia D’Isselt; Pooja Abhay Deshpande (Mumbai origin); Brittany Lynne Koch; Grace Orlaith Murphy; Hayley Faith Rein; Belladonna Sins; Sarae Witcher; Jared Caro M and Mohammed Shadman Islam M.

The team stayed in Mangalore for five days and engaged themselves in academic projects. St. Aloysius College signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State University of New York in 2014 and the team-visits have been an on-going feature since the past five years. The visiting team met the faculties of Chemistry, Physics, Social Work and Psychology and had an interaction with the students of Psychology on Women’s Empowerment. Discussions were held at the management level on future collaborative projects in research and student interaction to further enhance the academics of both institutions. The visit was facilitated by the Dean of International Programs, St. Aloysius College, Dr. Vincent Mascarenhas.

During the study tour, these 12 New Yorkers got the chance to experience the culture and tradition of Mangaluru and found various differences in their cuisine, architecture and familial tradition. They made a bunch of friends at the college and outside.

Dr. Jena Curtis said, “We already have felt the warmth and pleasant gestures of the Mangalureans. Their hospitality and friendship has been great and we are extremely thankful to them. The students have already learnt various cultures and traditions, and savoured the authentic local cuisine, which is amazing. We also learnt how the teachers interact with the students and their pedagogical practices. Our students enjoyed the interaction with the students of Psychology on Women’s Empowerment of St. Aloysius College. We would like to thank St. Aloysius College and the Jesuit priests for their invitation and hospitality and also to the Dean of International Programs, St. Aloysius College, Dr. Vincent Mascarenhas.”

Under the Study-abroad programme, since 2015, students from the US have completed one-semester courses at St. Aloysius every year, ending with internships in institutions connected to their area of study. Currently, there are four students studying at St. Aloysius under this programme. The Other programmes include project works in connection with Health and Women Empowerment in association with the Department of Health, State University of New York. Besides this, the team members visit the rehabilitation centres and involve themselves in rural exposure programmes. Faculty Development Program is geared to link with an university in Spain and the number of faculty exchange programs has been increasing in the last couple of years.”

Studying at St. Aloysius, now, has become a unique experience for students from within India and abroad, she lauded.