In this Section
 
WP logo two line
Search Icon
Search Arrow
 

University News

Unique Course Featuring Study Abroad Trip to Brazil Helps Students Deepen Their Writing Skills

Eight William Paterson University students had the opportunity to deepen their writing through cross-cultural engagement, field-based learning, and reflective practice as part of a creative non-fiction Honors course taught by Martha Witt, a professor of English and director of the Honors College Performing and Literary Arts Track.

The course, Writing Brazil: A Creative Nonfiction Journey, ran during the spring 2025 semester and was followed by a supplemental three-week study abroad component in the coastal city of Ilhéus in northeastern Brazil, including a trip to Salvador. The program was open to students from all majors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

The students participated in writing workshops taught by Professor Witt at the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC). “Our students were partnered with English-speaking UESC students (Brazil Buddies) to explore—through writing—themes of identity, culture, and memory,” says Witt. “Outside of class, the William Paterson students and their Brazil Buddies met up to socialize and to attend events on UESC's campus.”

During their time in Brazil, the students attended workshops and classes on Afro-Brazilian religions (including Candomblé and Umbanda), Indigenous performance traditions, and regional literature. Guest lectures and cultural seminars introduced students to the historical, social, and environmental realities of Bahia.

Highlights of the study abroad program included a day with the Tupinambá Indigenous community, a visit to a quilombola settlement of Afro-Brazilian descendants of enslaved people, a capoeira workshop, and field trips to cacao farms, waterfalls, and a visit to writer Jorge Amado’s home. The group also took a two-day trip to Salvador, where they learned more about the city’s legacy of African heritage and resistance.

Nursing major Imelda Omoyi says the class, which fit within her demanding nursing schedule, gave her a chance to branch out and meet new people. “It was a rare opportunity to explore, grow, and make lasting connections,” she added.

Other students were also enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn about another culture. “It was the experience of a lifetime,” says Anderson De La Oz, a sports medicine major. “It helped me find a deeper sense of myself.”

Witt spent the spring 2023 semester in Ilhéus as a Fulbright Scholar, teaching a creative writing course at UESC and working on a novel. This study abroad course grew out of her time in Brazil and her desire to give WPU students broader exposure to Latin American literature, along with the opportunity to travel and collaborate with students at UESC.

Students submitted final creative nonfiction portfolios shaped by personal insight and intercultural exchange. “The emphasis was not only the writing craft, but also gaining a deeper understanding of the ties between place, history, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others,” says Witt.

What We Do

As a powerhouse for new talent, William Paterson University offers unmatched support and next-level learning experiences. Together, we're reinventing what an excellent education looks like - here's how.

Image Description

Fueled by Collaboration

Our classrooms are never confined to four walls. Students work closely with faculty, get firsthand research experience, and discover fields they never knew existed. And because no two learners are alike, we offer flexible degree options, alternate credentials, and liberal transfer credits.

View Academic Programs
This is a place where progress is made.
Confident Woman Student

Powered by Support

We believe that to excel, students need to feel seen.

As one of the most diverse institutions in New Jersey, our environment is unequivocally inclusive, backed by intentional systems that encourage and empower all students, every step of the way.

Upcoming Events

Your Success Is Our Priority

The transition to college can come with many questions, which is why all first-year Pioneers are paired with a Student Success Team.

This tailored team of experts is composed of a professional advisor, financial aid counselor, career coach, and starting sophomore year, a faculty mentor in the student’s major.

Image 1

Discover What You Will. Power.

The first semester of college can be overwhelming, and Will. Power. 101, our first-year program, is designed to empower students throughout this life transition. In this semester-long course, students will explore what it means to be a powerhouse in academics, campus involvement and personal development, all while becoming more ingrained in the William Paterson community.

Image 2

Mentorship That Goes Beyond The Classroom

We have exceptional faculty at William Paterson, and in addition to being experts in their fields, our professors strongly emphasize and prioritize mentorship. Here, students refine and grow in their skills while working alongside and building meaningful relationships with faculty.

Image 3

Make Personal and Professional Impact

We equip our students with the skills and resources they need to thrive, as both thoughtful members of society and career-ready graduates. See how you can excel at William Paterson.

William Paterson Student Teaching Young Girls
Ready to join our community?

Follow Us on Social Media

William Paterson University logo
Request Info Visit Apply


300 Pompton Road | Wayne, New Jersey 07470
(973) 720-2000

Copyright © 2024 | Privacy Policy