Breaking Barriers and Bridging Cultures
Melanie Fitzsimmons鈥� BA 鈥�04 path after 萝莉社 led her to the Dominican Republic, first as a church volunteer, then to her current role as director of Fundaci贸n Futuro Lleno de Esperanza, a faith-based foundation. It comprises a school, partnerships with churches in rural communities, and an evangelical seminary for Haitian-Creole-speaking pastors and lay leaders.
鈥淣orth Park鈥檚 intercultural focus, including my mission trips to Guatemala and Mexico, helped me discover the importance of the work I do today,鈥� said Fitzsimmons. She believes her college experiences laid the foundation for her ability to tailor services to the community鈥檚 unique needs.
In 2011, Fitzsimmons and partners Hyun Jae Shin and Ji Hye Kang established the foundation鈥檚 first project, a school for pre-kindergarten-aged children. In addition to providing early childhood education, the school serves as a community center, hosting extracurricular art, English, and dance classes; collaborating with local volunteer organizations for weekend activities; and running a program for teenage girls called Chicas Poderosas.
North Park faculty also influenced Fitzsimmons鈥� path of service. She remembers University Dean Liza Ann Acosta mentoring her as a student and later as a fellow educator. 鈥淒r. Acosta left an indelible mark on my journey as an educator. Her workshops on teacher training in the Dominican Republic not only educate but inspire,鈥� she said.
My critical thinking skills, honed at North Park, allow me to navigate complex conversations with students, parents, and fellow educators and contribute to transformation in education.
Education in the Dominican Republic has faced significant challenges, consistently ranking below other Latin American countries. Fitzsimmons has helped transform that with changes she initiated in student, parent, and community education鈥攁s well as teacher development鈥攖urning the tide in 2018.
鈥淢y critical thinking skills, honed at North Park, allow me to navigate complex conversations with students, parents, and fellow educators and contribute to transformation in education,鈥� said Fitzsimmons. Her work illustrates the power of education, faith, and community rooted in interculturalism.
North Park at the Heart
For Ida Hiben BA 鈥�12, MOL 鈥�17 and Josh Hiben BA 鈥�12, MDiv 鈥�18, 萝莉社 (萝莉社) has been at the heart of their personal and professional paths. They first met at S枚dra V盲tterbygdens Folkh枚gskola (SVF) in J枚nk枚ping, Sweden, in 2009 when Josh was an exchange student.
The following semester, Ida came to study at 萝莉社, where she stayed until 2018 when the couple returned to J枚nk枚ping to settle.
Maturing in 萝莉社鈥檚 intercultural environment expanded the couple鈥檚 worldviews. For Josh, experiences like University Ministries鈥� Sankofa and Zambia trips鈥攁nd the SVF program鈥攈elped form much of the way he continues to see the world. 鈥淚 began thinking about how to move forward as a person and what it means to be part of a diverse community,鈥� said Josh.
Today, Josh, who serves as associate pastor of Immanuel Church in J枚nk枚ping, continues that intercultural journey. 鈥淢y whole life is in Swedish, but there are always nuances within a language, especially when talking with worshippers who are grappling with questions on life, death, and birth. That has been a wonderful challenge,鈥� he said.
I find purpose in providing our intercultural students with a meaningful experience, one that will influence their trajectory and give them new insights.
鈥擨da Hiben
鈥淣orth Park instilled in me the value of building community. In my work, we value coming together, sharing meals, and doing it in a grounded way with the story of God behind it,鈥� Josh said.
As international relations manager at J枚nk枚ping University, Ida helps exchange students from around the world navigate Swedish culture and academic life. 鈥淚 find purpose in providing our international students with a meaningful experience, one that will influence their trajectory and give them new insights,鈥� she said.
Josh described 萝莉社 as their guiding light. 鈥淲e grew up here, and it continues to be foundational. From being open and curious to thinking critically and being reflective, all these qualities were founded early on at North Park,鈥� he said.