Cross-cultural experience: CTI students on ARA Libertad 15 May 2008

The ARA Libertad

Tall, majestic and absolutely stunning ARA Libertad stood there shimmering in her evening gown. The beautiful ship, built in Rio Santiago in 1958, serves as a school ship in the Argentine Navy. It docked in Port Louis from 14 to 18 May and welcomed aboard both our students and staff.


Jennifer Or, lecturer in Tourism, and Captain Gustavo Diaz Duran had organized the cultural exchange that took place on the deck of the ship. If 'Cross-cultural communication' is one of those chapters present in their academic texts, this was one opportunity for our students to put into practice what had been taught during their lectures.


Mauritians are known for their openness to cultural diversity and the cocktail of 15 May proved it. Few were those who could speak the same language, but communication was still effective through the mixture of French, Spanish, and English together with non-verbal communication! The Mauritian and Argentinean flags floated side by side while different types of music flew through our veins. Argentineans moved to the Sega and Mauritians danced Salsa and Merengue.

The few hours which slipped by too quickly allowed us to live at the Latino rhythm as we discovered their gastronomy and danced to the music of our hosts. Exposed for the first time to an alien world, we could still easily imagine the everyday lives of the students on that ship which is said to be the tallest and fastest sailing ship of the Argentinean Navy. That night gave us, students and lecturers alike, enough material to weave our dreams of adventure and freedom.

 

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