Marisa LaBrecque Travels to Hawaii, Studies Cultural Differences

2017 Jun 19

Eighteen psychology students from Eastern Connecticut State University traveled to Hawaii this past May to study cross-cultural differences related to well-being and relationships. Among the travelers was Marisa LaBrecque '17 of Colchester, who majors in Psychology.

From western and native-Hawaiian perspectives, the Eastern students examined topics such as parenting and attachment styles, social support, emotional expression, romantic relationships and more.

The trip to Hawaii was the field component of a course taken on the Eastern campus during the academic year, and was led by Psychology Professors Madeline Fugere and Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault.

In addition to their studies, the students also visited Iolani Palace, the home of the Hawaiian royal family; the Byodo-In Temple, commemorating the anniversary of Japanese immigrants to Hawaii; Waimea Valley, where they toured botanical gardens and took a waterfall swim; and Pearl Harbor. They also participated in a community service project to rebuild the wall of an 800-year-old aquaculture site.