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Taylor Shea

Bio Summary
Cohort Year: 
2016
Home Institution: 
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Heinz Programming Area: 
Arts & Culture
Study Abroad Country: 
Australia
International Experience

Taylor Shea chose to spend her summer semester abroad, studying in the culturally rich area of South Australia. She specifically selected the ISA Adelaide program to help her best pursue her studies at the University of Adelaide. Here, she was enrolled in an Indigenous Culture and History course, as well as a Community Engagement course. She felt that these two courses would supply her with the best possible understanding of the local culture as well as its relationship with the local Aboriginal population. The professor of the Indigenous Cultures course was, in fact, part Aboriginal herself which fascinated Taylor and easily enabled her to gain knowledge of her professor's lifetime worth of personal experiences as an Aboriginal woman. Through the Community Engagement course, Taylor was able to volunteer with a local, non-profit organization called Second Chances SA which is dedicated to supporting current prisoners who want to turn their lives around, as well as prisoners' families. While working with Second Chances SA as a student intern, Taylor was able to obtain first-hand knowledge of the local population's attitude towards prisoners as well as their view of Aboriginals within the prison system. Taylor gained many lifelong friends and memories through her unforgettable trip to Australia. She hopes to return to Australia one day to continue her studies of Aboriginal culture in the Northern territory.

Community Engagement Experience
CEE Title: 
Beyond America

The main purpose of Beyond America was to spread awareness of news around the world to the Johnstown community. Much of the news coverage in this area is focused on what occurs in Johnstown or close by, and this results in a gap in the global knowledge of the community. To start, the presentation focused on different aspects of the world that people do not have common knowledge of including human trafficking, immigration laws and regulations, and race, religion and gender acceptance. This CEE was able to spread awareness of the diversity of what goes on around the world and the importance of being informed on these important topics.

 

 

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