(By D. Brent Edwards Jr., PhD, Educational Foundations Department Chair & Professor and Patricia Grillet)
In June 2025, undergraduate and graduate students from UH Mānoa, together with teachers from public and private schools on Oʻahu, participated in a study abroad program led by me and two doctoral students, Patricia Grillet and James Parker, from the Department of Educational Foundations. The month-long, six-credit program not only focused on the historical evolution and contemporary challenges of Spanish and Catalonian society (related to the slave trade, immigration, socio-economic inequality, gentrification, ethnic diversity, religious intolerance, gender discrimination, etc.), but also investigated their implications for education and how teachers, schools, and communities are responding to them.
This program blended thought-provoking lectures with immersive cultural experiences. From museums and historic squares to guided walking tours and hidden gems, every stop brought learning to life! With a dynamic group of 24 participants, two teaching assistants, and one instructor, the participants explored approximately 30 incredible sites, including Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter, Gaudí houses, the Catalonia National Art Museum, and more. Students navigated the city by metro, cable car, and on foot. Excursions beyond Barcelona took the group to Montserrat, Girona, Figueres, Sitges, the Costa Brava–and beyond.
For their final assignments, students produced analytic photo essays that brought the academic, personal, and experiential dimensions of the program into conversation.
The program will run again in 2026. See here for information.
Here are some powerful reflections and insights from the participants:
Glenn Bunger:
“More importantly, thank you so much for such an amazing experience and learning opportunity. There are so many aspects of the lessons and reading that will change my pedagogy (activism, religion, and policy stand out), but also the thoughtfulness of how you planned and sequenced it has me revisiting and reflecting on how my own classes progress. I’ve already sent out invites to new guest speakers for my students to add relevance to their lives.”Missie Yamamura:
“My experience in the Barcelona study abroad program was transformative and exhilarating because it allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and travel to Europe for the first time. Engaging with the vibrant culture and unique educational system of Spain was eye-opening. I immersed myself in a new environment, learning to be more present and open to different cultural perspectives. This journey expanded my worldview, instilling in me the realization that taking risks and committing to lifelong learning are invaluable paths to personal and professional growth. I wholeheartedly recommend this study abroad program to anyone within the College of Education who seeks to earn credits while traveling with purpose. Dr. Brent Edwards greatly enhanced the experience through his culturally responsive approach and unwavering support, from organizing local guest speakers to ensuring a caring environment abroad. This was undeniably the best summer of my life, and it enriched me both as a person and as an educator.”David Samulski:
“Barcelona was a transformative experience that allows for students to learn and engage with the cultural parallels of Catalonian society, while developing great friendships to explore and celebrate the myriad joys that Spanish society has to offer. Get your credit requirements met while making priceless memories that no course on campus could ever replicate!”Clarisa Wegesend:
“The Barcelona study abroad program was my first time studying abroad and my longest time away from Hawai’i. It was impactful to my understanding of education as I got to explore it in a broader context. While also deepening my understanding of colonialism from a different perspective. The structure of the program allowed me to meaningfully engage with my classmates and various communities in Barcelona building relationships that will last a life time”Kazuyuki Shoji
“My experience in the Barcelona study abroad program was beyond my expectations. The lectures from local instructors were insightful and inspiring for my research, and I also built meaningful friendships with fellow participants. Beyond the classroom, I was captivated by the breathtaking Sagrada Familia, delicious tapas, the art of Dalí and Gaudí, the passion of flamenco, and the beauty of the Mediterranean beaches. I quickly fell in love with Barcelona, and if you are still undecided about joining, I strongly encourage you to take the leap—you won’t regret it!”Cindy Snyder
“Studying in Barcelona allowed me to truly walk in the shoes of the guest speakers who spoke about education in Spain. I wasn’t just listening—I was living it. I was looking through their eyes, not just my own, and that shifted everything. Their words resonated differently because I was experiencing the very systems they described. It pulled me out of my own backyard and made me realize that education isn’t universal—it’s shaped by culture, policy, and lived reality. That perspective has stayed with me.”
