OCCC professor spends two weeks in Mexico for exchange program

Jennifer Massey
News Writing Student

Photo provided by Steve Kamm

In a shrinking world, educators should take advantage of opportunities to explore other cultures and look at colleges and universities in other countries on behalf of OCCC. This is the philosophy of Steve Kamm, physics professor, who returned in early December from Mexico.

Earlier in the semester, Felix Aquino, vice president of Academic Affairs, invited the faculty to take part in an academic exchange. The purpose of a teacher’s exchange is to explore institutions of higher learning in other countries, Kamm said.

In this case, Kamm traveled to the Technical University of Hermocillo in the state of Sonora, Mexico, where he said he found a warm welcome from his host family.

“You live in the home of your exchange partner,” Kamm said.

Kamm stayed with the family of Gerardo Acosta, a faculty member at UTH. He and all seven members of Acosta’s family became very close during his two-week stay, Kamm said.

“They opened their home and took in a stranger,” he said. “They treated me like one of their own.”

Once settled, Kamm began his tour. The Universidad Tecnologica de Hermosillo is one of four college campuses Kamm spent time at. Of the 4,000 students who attend the university, many were willing to stop what they were doing, whether it was studying or listening to a lecture, to answer his questions, Kamm said.

He admits he knew just enough Spanish to converse with someone who did not speak any English, although many did. At UTH, the students study English for the full two-year program, Kamm said.

“Everyone was very warm, very considerate, very hospitable and concerned that I had a pleasant and enjoyable experience,” Kamm said.

What Kamm learned, he said, is the programs and degrees at UTH are not very different from those offered at OCCC. The two-year programs include business, graphic arts, computer science and emergency medical service, to name a few.

There is less emphasis on theory and more emphasis on practical training to enter the work force, Kamm said. Internships also play an important role in learning.

“In every program, in the last semester, the students go into the business or industry and work for four months of on-the-job training,” Kamm said.

The similarities in the colleges didn’t stop there. After observing many classes, Kamm discovered that despite cultural differences, the people were the same. He was particularly impressed with the teachers.

“They were very focused on the students,” Kamm said.

Traveling to Mexico in a teacher’s exchange is something Kamm said he would eagerly do again.

“Each time I go to a different place, particularly a different country, it enforces the idea that there is more than one way to accomplish a goal,” he said.

When the visit came to an end, he was sad to leave.

“When I left, there were hugs, tears and a please-come-back,” Kamm said.

In the spring, Kamm said, he will play the role of host when Acosta and another teacher from Hermocillo come to Oklahoma City to spend two weeks at OCCC. The same courtesy will be given to them as they tour the campus, sit in on classes and ask questions of the faculty and students.

“I encourage anyone, faculty or student, to take advantage of the international exchange,” Kamm said. “You give up a little bit of personal security but you gain so much.”