Students from Walnut Elementary School experienced a trip across continents on Tuesday, Oct. 7 during an “Around the World” event put on by Emporia State’s applied sociology and applied criminology programs. The event, led by ESU students, was a hands-on, culturally immersive program that transformed the student recreation center gym into a miniature global showcase.
Between a morning and afternoon session, kindergartners through fifth graders rotated through interactive “country stations” where they learned about global cultures through art, music, fitness and performing arts.
Students began their journey by taking “passport photos” with instant-print cameras before receiving a “boarding pass” and a bag to hold the items they collected throughout the day. As they visited each station, their passports were stamped—a detail that aimed to add to the authenticity of the experience.
Each country station represented a different learning “lens,” encouraging students to explore culture through creative and physical activities while also learning about the country itself.
Some stations offered opportunities for musical exploration; At the Spain station, students learned the Macarena, in Paraguay, they played maracas and in China, they decorated spin drums. At the Mexico, Japan and Botswana stations, students explored art traditions creating colorful tissue-paper flowers, origami and traditional African masks respectively. If students were more into physical activity, they enjoyed soccer drills in Argentina and relay races in Jamaica.
“So they’re learning about the country, and then they’re engaging in the hands-on activity,” said Rebecca Rodriguez Carey, associate professor of applied sociology and applied criminology. “They got the opportunity to learn about some of the cool practices that they have in other countries.”
The event was coordinated by ESU students enrolled in Applied Criminological Theory and Contemporary Issues in the Criminal Legal System — courses that emphasize leadership, community engagement and crime prevention through positive outreach.
“In class, we talk a lot about policy and prevention,” Rodriguez Carey explained. “But one of the best ways to promote positive outcomes and reduce crime long-term is to engage with youth, to engage with youth early, to engage with them often. This was really our way of giving back to the community.”
For ESU students, the experience offered a chance to develop leadership and communication skills outside the traditional classroom setting.
“They learned that they don’t have to wait until they have fancy leadership titles,” she said. “They can lead right where they are.”
Beyond leadership development and cultural enrichment, Rodriguez Carey said community engagement events like “Around the World” have a lasting impact on both the university and the broader community.
“For these kiddos to be able to step foot on a college campus is really life-changing,” she said. “To be able to conceptualize from a young age that college is a cool place—and that maybe they could see themselves here someday.”
“I hope our students walked away knowing they’re capable leaders,” said Rodriguez Carey. “And I hope the kiddos from Walnut had fun—and realized that the world is so much bigger than we can ever really dream about knowing.”
