#014: From Tourist to Traveler with Dr. Grant Gearhart
Dr. Grant Gearhart is a current associate Spanish professor at Georgia Southern University and former professor at UNC Chapel Hill where he taught our host Drew for 3 years. Grant is deeply passionate about language and culture dedicating his life's work to education and spreading cultural awareness.
Grant has a unique perspective as a student and teacher of Spanish as well as being married to his Spanish wife whose family they visit twice a year there. He understands the cultural differences between the U.S. and Spain and ultimately how we can all benefit from learning about different cultures - which is the basis for his famous slogan amongst his students "don't be a tourist, be a traveler."
Grant shares with sincere humility and gratitude recognizing his own teachers that have impacted him, while also zooming out and thinking about the big picture behind his work and passions. A truly inspiring and fruitful conversation!
Highlights include:
Why Grant believes immersing yourself in a different language and culture is so important
How we in the U.S. can learn and benefit the most from Spanish culture
What "don't be a tourist, be a traveler" means to Grant
How Grant has positively impacted Drew's life and decision to live in Spain
Grant's favorite (and less well-known) place in Spain
Grant's resources for mental health and his wellness as a whole
How Grant coped with the devastating losses of his mother to cancer and father to suicide
Why crying as a man is OK
Plugs
World Languages Collaborative Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DiohBf9QSqcvnLw56raKL?si=62191ab2d1374330
Grant bio: https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/cah/languages/faculty-staff/gearhart/
Contact Grant: ggearhart@georgiasouthern.edu
