UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During the fall semester, students taking CRIM 451 had the opportunity to travel to Curaçao as part of the “Organized Crime in Curaçao” embedded program in the College of the Liberal Arts. While on the trip, students got to immerse themselves in local culture while learning how race, crime and justice impact culture and communities throughout the island.
The trip was led by Howard Smith, teaching professor of criminology, and Sarah Henry, a criminology graduate student. Smith has led the trip for numerous years and remarked on how unique each experience has been.
“This was my ninth time leading an embedded class to Curaçao. However, each time I meet new people and visit new locations, so I'm always learning new things along with my students,” Smith said. “I enjoy getting to know my students much better than is possible in a typical classroom setting, and it's fun to watch them form new friendships and gain greater self-confidence and independence, especially the students who have never traveled internationally before. I hope the trip encourages them to explore more of the world.”
Embedded courses are Penn State courses taken on campus or online that include a short-term international travel component. The students in Smith’s CRIM 451 class last fall traveled to Curaçao over fall break.
Julia Briselli, a fourth-year student double majoring in philosophy and communication arts and sciences from Hershey, Pennsylvania, was one of the students in the class.
"Throughout the course, we learned about the relationship between race and criminal justice, and our trip to Curaçao allowed us to experience how race impacts communities outside of the United States,” Briselli said.
Laura Ellison, a third-year student double majoring in criminology and sociology from Milford, Connecticut, remarked on the historical background of Curaçao and how it shaped her understanding for the rest of the trip.
“We learned about the history and culture that created the island,” Ellison said. “Furthermore, we learned how slave history was a big component of the island when it came to economic benefit. This island was colonized by the Dutch people, and their port was important during the transatlantic slave trade. The island is still used for its oil and harbor port. It is an island filled with many migrants, and the people have adapted to learning over four languages.”
The trip also influenced Ellison’s career goals and has made her more passionate about inequality.