World Languages & Cultures professors bring global experiences to life at local elementary school

Smith Elementary School transformed into a vibrant international showcase during Global Week as university professors offered a cultural event connecting local students and their families with cultures and languages from around the world.

The event, organized by Mayte de Lama, associate professor of Spanish, featured a series of interactive tables, each representing a different country or culture. Faculty members Shereen Elgamal, Federico Pous, Ketevan Kupatadze, Mayte de Lama, Ricky Mendoza, Samuele Pardini, Bethanny Sudibyo, along with French majors Cécile Charron and Noelle Murray and with French minor Julia Canto, volunteered their time to create engaging experiences. Together, they offered children and their families an opportunity to explore communities from across the globe. Rod Salazar, owner of Irazú Coffee, also contributed his time, expertise and coffee beans by helping bring Costa Rican culture to life.

Each table was thoughtfully curated with authentic materials. Visitors could browse children’s books in different languages, learn to write basic characters, and participate in hands-on activities such as traditional games and crafts. Colorful displays of photographs, artifacts and clothing provided insight into daily life and cultural celebrations, while snacks and sweets offered a literal taste of each culture and reinforced language learning. At several tables, families gathered as professors demonstrated how to write in non-Latin alphabets, sparking curiosity and excitement among young learners. Children who completed their journey across the different countries received stamps in a “passport,” which they later exchanged for a prize.

Families, teachers, and staff expressed strong appreciation for the opportunity to “travel” and learn together in an interactive and accessible setting. By bringing university professors into the elementary school community, the event created a meaningful bridge between higher education and early learning.