Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Travel Talk is a networking event created to provide students with a welcoming and safe space to build meaningful relationships through shared interests, according to Center for Student Involvement staff.
The event, which took place Jan. 26 in the Student Union Bronc Room on the Edinburg campus, was organized by the CSI and focused on connection, collaboration, and cultural exchange in a smaller, more comfortable setting.
According to Giovanna Granados, program coordinator for the CSI, the idea for the event came from the need to create spaces where students feel comfortable engaging with one another. “So, these networking groups are meant to serve as an opportunity to create kind of, like, a smaller event style and safer place for students to build meaningful relationships and collaborative experiences and interact socially with one another,” Granados said.
She added the inspiration for Travel Talk is rooted in students’ interest in global experiences and exploration.
“We try to stick to popular trends or things that we see are of high interest to students, and we know that traveling could be one of those interests,” Granados said.
The Education Abroad department shared information about study abroad programs and destinations available to students. with interactive games such as travel bingo and bucket-list bingo.
“There are two styles of bingos where students have the opportunity to talk to each other to try to fill out the bingo card based on the different items or questions,” Granados said.
She said the atmosphere of the event was further shaped by travel-inspired snacks and international teas, reflecting the global theme. Postcards were also provided, allowing students to write messages about their aspirations or exchange notes with new connections.
CSI will also host Travel Talk Feb. 16 in the Music, Science and Learning Center on the Brownsville campus.
Giovanna Granados, the program coordinator for the Center for Student Involvement, speaks to students during the Travel Talk event Jan. 26 in the Student Union Bronc Room on the Edinburg campus.
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
Valeria Tokun Haga/THE RIDER
