Experiential Learning at Southwestern College

By Allegra Borghese

At Southwestern College we incorporate many modes and traditions of healing

into the classroom. For first year students in Consciousness I, we were

asked to represent our findings of a research project through an interactive

performance. While the introverted part of me was not eager to throw myself

in front of the spotlight, I was surprised by how transformational it felt

to really show up and be vulnerable in front of an audience.

This unexpected outlet for creativity and expression through my group’s skit

led me to the insight that my own willingness to try something can be a

vital variable in the client-therapist relationship. Engaging with the

performer-audience dynamic recapitulated prior performance experiences,

allowing me to (a) let go of the past which no longer serves me, and (b) make

more room to more effectively hold the experience of a future client.

Consciously pushing my boundaries and remaining open to what this assignment

held for me marked the entrance into a new phase of my education at

Southwestern. I feel like more of me is becoming the therapist I’m destined

to be, and more of me exists in the present moment. I’m looking forward to

what other unexpected modalities of healing this intense and unpredictable

curriculum throws my way!

Click below to catch a peak of what Allegra Borghese, Stephanie Cabrera, and

Alanna Sindlinger created for their presentation on the lineage of makeup!

Donna Harrington

You must be logged in to post a comment.