Hoyland: MLO5
MLO 5: Cultural Praxis (Cultural Internalization and Language Immersion)
The student demonstrates that he or she has been actively immersed in and has internalized Hispanic culture.
MLO 5 Reflection
For a variety of reasons, I was unable to participate in a study abroad program to complete MLO 5. I chose to
complete the MLO through Pathway 3, with the majority of my time being spent volunteering for a non-profit
organization assisting the immigrant community and working among native Spanish speakers several days a
week.
After completing my Service Learning experience in my first semester at CSUMB, I continued working for Santa
Cruz County Immigration Project as an intern. I ultimately worked for SCCIP 8 hours per week for about 40
weeks beyond my Service Learning requirement for a total of more than 300 hours. Some of the work I
completed during my time with the SCCIP office includes:
Citizenship applications
Residency renewal applications
Work permit renewal applications
Family reunification applications
Translations of official documents (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) to be
attached to various applications
Deferred action applications
Client intake interviews and assistance
While official paperwork submitted to immigration agencies was completed in English, almost all communication
with clients was completed in Spanish. I had the opportunity to practice the language in real world situations and
develop my speaking skills to a level that I did not receive previously in my classroom experiences. These
conversations with clients helped to develop my vocabulary, reinforce my understanding of Spanish grammar,
and acceptable cultural manners and behaviors.
For the last year I have been working in a hotel which has allowed me to continue developing my Spanish
speaking and comprehension skills while working 20-30 hours per week. All of my co-workers speak Spanish as
their first language along with my two managers speaking Spanish as a second language. While my interaction
with my bosses and customers usually takes place in English, all of my communication with my co-workers is
held in Spanish. They have supported my language learning and worked to help develop my language abilities by
teaching me knew words and sayings, but also helping to correct my mistakes. We spend our break time
together conversing in Spanish about our lives outside of work, our families, and our cultural differences. During
employee meetings and training situations, discussions are held in Spanish to ensure that all employees are able
to understand. We recently completed a quarterly safety meeting discussing earthquake and fire safety which
included a professional extinguisher demonstration that was conducted in Spanish.
I often also have the opportunity to practice my language skills with customers who have traveled to stay at our
hotel from Spanish speaking countries. I have found that my ability to speak Spanish adds to the enjoyment of
their experiences while vacationing in the United States and helps put them at ease being in a country where
they do not understand the language.
I use my Spanish skills constantly out in the community, at restaurants, and while shopping. I personally enjoy
visiting the Santa Cruz flea market which has given me ample opportunities to communicate with Spanish
speaking vendors while asking questions about items for sale and negotiating prices. I also have several friends
and In-laws who speak Spanish as a first language who now only speak to me in Spanish when we spend time
together. I have spent afternoons with them discussing classes and my plans for the future, as well as communicate through email and text messages in Spanish.
I have viewed several full-length movies in Spanish as well as documentaries, newscasts, and talk shows about
current events, history, and cultural events. I have included some written reflections below.
Machuca
La Guelaguetza
Dia De Los Muertos
La Lengua De Las Mariposas
Carlos V y Felipe II Documentary
The student demonstrates that he or she has been actively immersed in and has internalized Hispanic culture.
MLO 5 Reflection
For a variety of reasons, I was unable to participate in a study abroad program to complete MLO 5. I chose to
complete the MLO through Pathway 3, with the majority of my time being spent volunteering for a non-profit
organization assisting the immigrant community and working among native Spanish speakers several days a
week.
After completing my Service Learning experience in my first semester at CSUMB, I continued working for Santa
Cruz County Immigration Project as an intern. I ultimately worked for SCCIP 8 hours per week for about 40
weeks beyond my Service Learning requirement for a total of more than 300 hours. Some of the work I
completed during my time with the SCCIP office includes:
Citizenship applications
Residency renewal applications
Work permit renewal applications
Family reunification applications
Translations of official documents (birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates) to be
attached to various applications
Deferred action applications
Client intake interviews and assistance
While official paperwork submitted to immigration agencies was completed in English, almost all communication
with clients was completed in Spanish. I had the opportunity to practice the language in real world situations and
develop my speaking skills to a level that I did not receive previously in my classroom experiences. These
conversations with clients helped to develop my vocabulary, reinforce my understanding of Spanish grammar,
and acceptable cultural manners and behaviors.
For the last year I have been working in a hotel which has allowed me to continue developing my Spanish
speaking and comprehension skills while working 20-30 hours per week. All of my co-workers speak Spanish as
their first language along with my two managers speaking Spanish as a second language. While my interaction
with my bosses and customers usually takes place in English, all of my communication with my co-workers is
held in Spanish. They have supported my language learning and worked to help develop my language abilities by
teaching me knew words and sayings, but also helping to correct my mistakes. We spend our break time
together conversing in Spanish about our lives outside of work, our families, and our cultural differences. During
employee meetings and training situations, discussions are held in Spanish to ensure that all employees are able
to understand. We recently completed a quarterly safety meeting discussing earthquake and fire safety which
included a professional extinguisher demonstration that was conducted in Spanish.
I often also have the opportunity to practice my language skills with customers who have traveled to stay at our
hotel from Spanish speaking countries. I have found that my ability to speak Spanish adds to the enjoyment of
their experiences while vacationing in the United States and helps put them at ease being in a country where
they do not understand the language.
I use my Spanish skills constantly out in the community, at restaurants, and while shopping. I personally enjoy
visiting the Santa Cruz flea market which has given me ample opportunities to communicate with Spanish
speaking vendors while asking questions about items for sale and negotiating prices. I also have several friends
and In-laws who speak Spanish as a first language who now only speak to me in Spanish when we spend time
together. I have spent afternoons with them discussing classes and my plans for the future, as well as communicate through email and text messages in Spanish.
I have viewed several full-length movies in Spanish as well as documentaries, newscasts, and talk shows about
current events, history, and cultural events. I have included some written reflections below.
Machuca
La Guelaguetza
Dia De Los Muertos
La Lengua De Las Mariposas
Carlos V y Felipe II Documentary
