Photo courtesy of Vivi Diaz CBU students Christina McDonald, Amber Shelton, Tiffany Schiro, Vivi Diaz and Chanelle Canfield learn about the local culture and history on Olvera Steet.
California Baptist University’s Community Life Office took 20 students to Olvera Street in Los Angeles to help them understand Hispanic culture. The day trip, which took place Oct. 15, started with coffee and doughnuts at the train station and included a tour, a few museums and visits to two churches.
Jasmine Leon, junior psychology major, said it was great learning more about Olvera Street and its roots.
“I had no idea the Hispanic culture had so much involvement in Los Angeles,” Leon said. “The tour guide mentioned people from Durango and Sinaloa, both places from where my family is rooted from, and I had no idea LA had immigrants from there.”
Leon said her favorite parts were the tour and the taquitos, a traditional Mexican rolled taco that is fried to a crisp.
George Martin, director of Cultural and Commuter Programs, said one of the reasons CBU decided to take a trip to Olvera Street was the rich cultural heritage it symbolized.
“Our goal was to expose the students to the Hispanic culture in various ways through history, music, food, clothing and arts,” Martin said.
Different events were happening on Olvera Street and students were able to watch live mariachi bands and participate in other cultural activities.
Martin said the students from CBU are from all different cultures and that it is important for them to be able to celebrate the differences, as well as the
greatness of each culture.
The Community Life Office hosts a plethora of on and off-campus trips to help expand the scope of experiences for students.
Trips offered throughout the year include outdoor trips to places like San Gorgonio, as well as cultural trips to craft coffee roasters.
Cultural events hosted on campus include celebrations of Black History Month, international film festival and Lunar New Year.
