Adrianna Ruiz is a recent graduate from the University of Florida. She undertook a dual degree in Criminology and Political science with a minor in Sociology. She managed to graduate in three years and was a student of Dr Erika Brooke for the virtual exchange with Ecuador.
Adrianna explains the VE was an integral part of a course titles: ‘Careers in Criminal Justice’ with Dr Erika Brooke. She took the course in spring of 2024, and saw it as an opportunity to explore global collaboration within the theme of the criminal justice system.
“We partnered with a specific class in a school in Ecuador called the Universidad San Francisco de Quito’, explains Adrianna, “All of the students were studying criminal law. We had regular meetings in groups of about 4. Personally I had two Ecuadorian students – one male and one female. During our meetings, we discussed our topics and took notes as well as watching the relevant video. After, we’d up our notes with any comments we wanted to add.”
What did you discuss during your virtual exchange?
“We discussed a plethora of issues: from law enforcement to correction, careers, experiences based on race or class. Anything you can think of really that could impact the criminal justice system.
What really struck me was the recurring theme of corruption that kept coming up in the Ecuadorian justice system. I mean, there is corruption in any system and no system is perfect. But this issue was particularly prevalent and they told me stories where they had first hand experience with corruption, and bribery. One of them even said they wouldn’t want to work in the criminal justice system because she was scared of what would happen to her family or to herself. It’s just a very daunting career choice.“
Did you manage to dig deeper and find out what was behind the corruption issue?
“There appear to be many reasons ranging from cartel involvement as well as a lack of education. The Ecuadorian students told me the public schools in Ecuador aren’t very good, and so people are not aware of the laws and what they should or shouldn’t do. Bribery is huge there, as people with money can bribe police officers into letting them go, for example.
So, there is a lot of social inequality with wealthier people being able to manoeuvre through the system quicker and more easily than those who are lower status or black or indigenous who face more discrimination. There is a lot of inequality based on social class or race or cartel involvement and danger and all these elements impact the justice system.”
Did you find similarities between US and Ecuador justice systems?
“I’ve had a lot of experience with the criminal justice system here in the US and sure, we see parallels, but not on the same level. Poorer people obviously have a harder time meeting bail or finding good representation, for example. We also see an over representation of minority groups in the incarcerated population. And understanding if it’s discrimination or a higher crime rate is something to pursue.
I have not had first hand experience of corruption in the US justice system, personally. That said, we do read about it and we have an understanding on how it can impact marginalised communities for example. They do have a harder time navigating the system due to lack of knowledge or lack of funds and things like that.”
What did you take away from your virtual exchange experience?
“I’m Hispanic – my family is originally from Cuba – and as a Hispanic student at UF, having the opportunity to talk to someone who has similar cultural values and experiences to me, I understood we have similar experiences across cultures. Therefore you are not alone.
My Ecuadorian peers really didn’t realise we may experience some similarities. They took it very emotionally, and being there for them and helping them to see that even in one of the most developed countries in the world, these things happen too. It isn’t just in Ecuador. That was a main takeaway for me – that we have shared experiences. And even if it is scary or uncertain, it happens across the globe.”
Did you build lasting relationships during your virtual exchange?
“Oh yes we did. We remain very close and follow each other on social media. In fact, one congratulated me on my graduation. Both were really really nice people.
We didn’t have many challenges in our group, I have to say. It all ran very smoothly. But I know this wasn’t the case for all the groups, so I was very lucky in mine.
The time difference was only an hour, but some had other issues including with apps. Hispanic people use WhatsApp a lot, and I had it already because of my family. But some had never used it before, so they had to get used to a new app too. I guess most of the challenges included overcoming those things. But we got on well and did our meetings and built relationships, and I see them on social and pursuing their careers.
What about language in the virtual exchange?
“In our first meeting, they were chatting in Spanish a bit and didn’t realise I speak Spanish too. So they were delighted when things got difficult to explain and they could use Spanish as I chimed into the conversation. But normally we spoke in English for our meetings. I think having Spanish brought us closer together as well.
You see, if I feel intense about what I’m talking about, I tend to speak too fast. But having Spanish was really helpful if they had difficulty in following.
What did you learn about yourself during this exchange?
“I learned that I love communicating with different cultures and also with people from similar backgrounds to me. This is something that really excites me. These meetings were always a pleasure for me and never a chore.
I want to work in Federal Law Enforcement and my political science background has given me a passion for international affairs and global topics.
I want to pursue something that merges those two aspects: law enforcement and global collaboration. There is a big focus on law enforcement here in the US, and understanding those trends – but we should look past the borders of the US and understand our community and how experiences can be parallel experiences abroad and use this for the betterment of both experiences overall.
This international and intercultural collaboration has made me want to understand more about law enforcement and global communities and the impact between those two ideas.”