Learning from a Distance

How our Students Are Connecting with Columbia

Columbia Theological Seminary has a commitment to preparing students for a global ministry and as part of that commitment we welcome students from around the world each school year. In this pandemic-shaped year that welcome has looked very different. Instead of joining their fellow students in Decatur, they are connecting on computer screens via Zoom. We caught up with Noura R. Eid a first-year Master of Divinity student who is studying in Leuven, Belgium to find more about her experience learning from a distance.

Q: What called you to Columbia Theological Seminary?

A: While completing a Bachelor of Theology B.Th. in Lebanon, I was increasingly interested in pursuing a Master of Divinity after finishing my Bachelor’s degree. I talked with my teachers and pastors who had completed studies abroad. One of the pastors whom I asked was Jack Baca, the pastor of the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe, California. He advised me to apply to Columbia Seminary for graduate studies.

Later, I was also encouraged to consider Columbia Seminary by Tony Sundermeier, the pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Atlanta. In their perspective, and now in mine, Columbia Seminary is a great place to study, for several reasons. First, I have been told it is a warm, hospitable and diverse community. It welcomes international students and makes them feel as if they are in their own home. Second, on the academic level, Columbia is known for having high scholarly standards, and is respected and influential among other schools. Third, and most importantly, I chose to apply to Columbia Seminary because it prepares its students to be ministers, not just academics.

Where are you currently staying and studying?

I am currently staying in Leuven, Belgium, pursuing another master’s degree (MA) at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit along with my M.Div from Columbia.

Describe your school year so far? What have been some high points? Some low points?

My school year at Columbia has been more than great. I have grown academically and spiritually. I appreciate that Columbia aims to give holistic care for students in many different areas of their life and ministry.

I do wish to be exposed to more than just new ideas. I have been hoping to be confronted with new contexts that I can live in my daily life. But it has not been possible due to distant/ online learning.

How has being at a distance from your professors and classmates shaped your learning journey?

Professors have been amazingly responsive and helpful when I reach out. They have made the academics that they teach more attractive and challenging.

Sadly, in the Fall 2020 semester I was not in touch with my classmates. However, I hope to be more involved in the social life of Columbia students if the opportunity arises this spring.

What have been some unexpected joys or discoveries?

I did not expect to experience such innovative ways of ministry. Columbia creatively equips students with the biblical knowledge as well as the pastoral and practical experience needed for ministry.

What are your hopes for this new Spring semester? For the Fall 2021 semester?

I hope to wrestle more with theology (firsthand) from new perspectives. While my training at Near East School of Theology in Lebanon was based upon western scholarly work, my experience has only been in the Middle Eastern context. So, I hope to be exposed to new contexts.

Also, I hope to be more involved in Columbia (social) life. I believe that my wish might be fulfilled in Fall 2021 as I (if God wills) move to the U.S and am present on campus.