Participation Type
Poster
Session Title
Session 3.09 Poster Session
Presentation #1 Title
Community Commonalities: Cross-Cultural Learning in Wales and Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
In the summer of 2013, Appalachian State University students participated in a six-week-long study abroad trip to Wales. Continuing a decades-long partnership between the University and institutions in Wales, students participated in a collaborative community mapping project, studying community-based development and working with partners in several towns. Students met with many community members and considered the Welsh coal valleys in relation to Appalachia with an emphasis on coal mining, tourism, and community rejuvenation. Learning about Welsh politics and researching historical, environmental, and commercial points of interests in several towns in south Wales, students broadened their understanding of Appalachia and fostered local to global connections and cross-cultural sharing. Appalachia and Wales share a lot of common markers, including a need for community-based development. This poster presentation explores what Appalachian State students learned comparing Appalachia and Wales while working on the ground in communities. The ongoing GPS mapping project in the South Wales valleys allows for a wide range of uses and places the project in the hands of the people it should benefit while giving students tools they can apply to other projects within Appalachia.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Mary Rachel was born and raised in a rural community in the mountains of North Carolina. She recently obtained her Masters of Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University with a concentration in Sustainable Development.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Kathryn is a first year doctoral student in sociology at the University of Kentucky. She completed her master’s in Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University and is currently researching.
Community Commonalities: Cross-Cultural Learning in Wales and Appalachia
MSC Lobby
In the summer of 2013, Appalachian State University students participated in a six-week-long study abroad trip to Wales. Continuing a decades-long partnership between the University and institutions in Wales, students participated in a collaborative community mapping project, studying community-based development and working with partners in several towns. Students met with many community members and considered the Welsh coal valleys in relation to Appalachia with an emphasis on coal mining, tourism, and community rejuvenation. Learning about Welsh politics and researching historical, environmental, and commercial points of interests in several towns in south Wales, students broadened their understanding of Appalachia and fostered local to global connections and cross-cultural sharing. Appalachia and Wales share a lot of common markers, including a need for community-based development. This poster presentation explores what Appalachian State students learned comparing Appalachia and Wales while working on the ground in communities. The ongoing GPS mapping project in the South Wales valleys allows for a wide range of uses and places the project in the hands of the people it should benefit while giving students tools they can apply to other projects within Appalachia.
