Stan and Karen Johnson
OFFICE OF GLOBAL PROGRAMS
Welcome to the newest edition of Going Global, the quarterly newsletter that provides readers with information and reflections on the international experiences of GCC students. Presented by: The Stan and Karen Johnson Office of Global Programs Director: Dr. Lois Johnson Field Director: Dr. Mark Reuber Study Abroad: Mrs. Jennifer Gilliland Global Studies Assistant: Mrs. Maria Morin Student Advisors: Emily Kruse, Cailyn Chiarello, Anna Cook, Allyson Davies, Emma Kauffman,
Margaret Hosack, Lydia Rothbard, Joy Nave
We hope you enjoy our newsletter! Find us on Instagram (gcc_ogp) Visit us anytime in HAL 319!
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Life in Thailand A Study Abroad Experience by Anna Cook Living in Thailand for a semester was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. Thailand has some of the rarest treasures all thrown into one nation. Not only is it situated in the center of Southeast Asia, so it is a perfect home base for other out of country travel, but it also possesses some of the wildest adventures one could have this side of heaven. I like to refer to it as a tourist’s dream. From motorbike riding in the backpacker’s haven of Pai, to snorkeling or sailing on a Pirates ship down in Krabi, to the beautifully intricate temples of Chiang Rai, to the absolutely delicious and spicy cuisine found in the eastern provinces, to the roar of exciting city life in the country’s capital, Bangkok. There is so much rich culture to experience, breathtaking sights to see, and exceptionally kind people to meet anywhere you visit in Thailand. I have a special place in my heart for Northern Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, where I lived for a semester. I attended Chiang Mai University (CMU) through the program provider, USAC and had a marvelous experience. The staff cared for us students very well and provided every bit of help possible, as they were able. This picture was taken on a trip provided by USAC to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand. Mali, the Thai woman and USAC staff in this picture, I discovered to be a sister in Christ and quickly became a very dear friend. We spent a great deal of time together as she introduced me to much of the Thai culture and traditions. We attended her church together, met throughout the week to get meals, study Scripture, talk, laugh and share hearts. We just lived life together and it was a beautiful meshing of lives, culture and faith. We stay in touch regularly and she will come to the States to spend this Christmas with me and my family! What a gift she is! There is nothing more valuable or meaningful to me on this earth than relationships. The most important being my relationship with God and then from that, relationships with others. I am certain that the only thing going to heaven with me will be the other souls that believed Jesus to be Lord of their lives as well. In light of that, I live my life investing in and cultivating these relationships. Learning how to love people well is the greatest joy the Father has given me. My existence revolves around relationships with other human beings. My understanding of this and ability in making relationships has been heightened and strengthened since the time I spent studying abroad.
During my time in Thailand, God gave me an incredible opportunity to dig deep into His Word, to learn and grow in Him and His wisdom, and to explore what it means to care for and develop lasting relationships with people who either share the same faith, reject this faith, or even those who have no concept of faith in God. Doing life in this culture really caused me to take a deeper look at the things I believe and why I believe them and then be able to speak about those things. In the midst of all this growth, the Lord brought five other sweet Thai women to share life with me. Most of these women were involved in an on-campus ministry called Campus Outreach (CO) and lived together in a little house right off campus. They opened up their home to me and we spent lovely nights making brownies and other yummy Thai or American desserts. Often Thai CMU students needing to practice their English or wanting to get more connected to CO would come to build closer relationships and practice their English-speaking skills. These women taught me much about faithful commitment to the ministry God has placed in them, especially as being a Christian in Thailand is by no means an easy way to live. Along with entering and embracing the Thai way of life as much as possible with the people in my community, there were also many opportunities to travel and explore other countries and parts of Thailand. Malaysia was one of the coolest places I was able to visit while in Asia. I spent a weekend visiting some of the most stunning and intriguing sights Kuala Lumpur had to offer with a couple of other American students in my program with whom I became friends. On the itinerary was Batu Caves, where this picture was taken, Petronas Twin Towers and the light show beneath, the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and the Perdana Botanical Gardens in the center of the city. This experience was extremely informational, empowering and gave me a deeper appreciation for the various avenues of unique beauty that come from each people group.
One of my favorite and very unexpected experiences was the opportunity to teach English to 1st and 2nd graders at Wat Suandok School from January to March. The kids in this picture were the 2nd graders and they were a wild bunch! They challenged and stretched me in ways I could never have imagined. Utilizing the help of my wonderful Thai friend Fah, (not pictured unfortunately) the little Thai I knew and LOTS of body language, hopefully these crazy kids learned a tad more English than before. This is just a glimpse, mere highlights, of my experience studying abroad. There are many more lessons God taught me and so many more stories and people and places that have shaped my heart through it. Ultimately, the chance to be a part of the work of the Kingdom of God and live life in another country was truly life changing and one of the greatest blessings I have received so far. I am looking forward to where God will take me next!
Photo Credit: https://www.davestravelpages.com/how-many-days-in-chiang-mai-is-enough/
Spotlight on Mrs. Maria Morin
by Joy Nave
The Office of Global Programs would like to introduce its newest employee, Mrs. Maria Morin. I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions so that we can all get to know her a little better. Mrs. Morin was born and grew up in Poland, and later moved to the U.S after meeting her husband who was studying abroad. Keep reading this Q&A to find out more! Q. This is your first year working in the OGP, what is your role there? A. I work in the OGP part-time (afternoons). I assist with global studies and support for office programs. I also focus on assisting incoming international students, recruiting international students, and developing exchanges with other countries, particularly Poland. In the mornings I am a faculty assistant for the Calderwood School faculty. Q. What is something that most surprised you when you came to the U.S.? A. The biggest difference upon coming to the US was the amount of religious diversity. Poland is a Catholic country, even more so during the time I grew up. Each town had one Catholic church, and that is where everyone attended. Here in the U.S., even small towns have several churches of different denominations. This is something that stood out to me as a positive change from where I grew up.
Q. What is your favorite thing about living in the U.S.? A. I think the U.S. is a great place to live because of the freedom of speech, acceptance, and tolerance. People are free to make so many choices about their lives, even just in the grocery store! When I grew up in Poland, the country was under strict government control, with zero freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It was a time of unrest and oppression. I am happy I came to the U.S. when I did, but I am also proud of the role I played in the history of Poland during that time through resistance and Solidarity strikes in college. Q. What are your favorite Polish traditions? A. Poland has so many wonderful traditions that focus on family. Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, with a big family dinner. To start the meal, the whole family shares a special oplatek (wafer) that is decorated with scenes of the nativity. The meal progresses with about 12 courses, all meatless, including pierogis, borscht (beet soup), stuffed cabbage, and fried fish. The next two days are spent visiting family. Easter is also very special in Poland. Families put together Easter baskets with decorated eggs, kielbasa, Babka cakes and other treats. The family takes that basket to church and the priest blesses it with holy water. On Easter Sunday after going to church, the family starts the big meal by sharing the blessed hard-boiled egg. My parents and sister still live there, so I try to visit them as often as I can. Q. What is your favorite food from Poland? A. Pierogi! My mother would make homemade pierogi every Friday when I was growing up. It is a special memory. My other favorite foods include kielbasa, borscht, and meat dumplings. Q. When did you start learning English? A. I started learning English through private lessons in 5th grade. It was not taught in schools, but my parents thought it was important for me to learn. I continued studying English in college at Marie Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland. My major was English and Linguistics. I came to the U.S. with a very good knowledge of British English, so the adjustment was not too difficult. Q. You met your husband while he was studying abroad in Poland. Can you tell us the story? A. My husband was studying abroad in Poland for the second time. He was attending Catholic University in Lublin, Poland, while I was going to another University in the same city. The English department of my university invited the American students in Lublin to a reception for a celebration of the election of President Reagan. My husband attended and we met through a mutual friend. That was in January of 1981. By July, I had moved to the U.S., and in October we were married! We have been married for 38 years.
Oxford Tops Rankings in 2020
CIS Abroad Summer TEFL Programs Spend your summer abroad & get your TEFL certificate! By Margaret Hosack
{"A?":"B","a":4,"b":1058868816,"c":"DADnVuRRZA","d":"PROD","A":[{"A?":"J","A":51.42716049382716,"B":83.5939 Have you ever considered teaching English abroad complete your online courses abroad, you will 1276041663,"D":655.9876234968044,"C":375.04197530864207,"a":{" as a means to travel globally and experience more shadow teachers in Japan to observe what their 22V0H0v500h314.8V22zm-6.2 day-to-day life is like. ofD":314.8,"C":500},"b":[{"A":"M314.8 the world? CIS Abroad, one of Grove City College’s partners for study abroad, offers a great 0v471.8H6.2V6.2h302.4V22z","B":{"C":"#f1e2e0"}}],"c":{"A":{"A":36,"B You will get to attend excursions, prepare lesson summer opportunity to live in a new country ":35.947,"D":242.816,"C":427.333},"B":2091.6007495132235,"C":1164 plans, teach classes to English language learners, while you simultaneously study to receive your and gain practical experiences during your 40+ internationally recognized TEFL certificate! .3000846526966,"D":"A","E":"A"}}],"B":816,"C":1056} hours of training that will ready you to lead your What is a TEFL certificate? A “Teach English as a Foreign Language” certificate, which is a certificate for native English speakers to teach the language to non-native speakers. You will learn the theory and practice of teaching the English language in countries outside of the U.S., have actual hands-on teaching experience, and get to immerse yourself in a new culture and environment. Where can I go? CIS Abroad offers three unique hybrid TEFL programs in three different countries: Japan, Ecuador, and Thailand. 1. 8-week Summer TEFL in Tokyo, Japan During your time in Tokyo, you will have a flexible study schedule to complete your 120-hour online TEFL training. Not only will you be able to
own classroom after your program ends.
There will also be plenty of time for exploration during your time in Japan! The program in Tokyo includes day trips to various cities and districts around Tokyo, seeing all the great things that the area offers from food to fashion to Tokyo’s top destinations. Live in apartments in the heart of Tokyo, visit Japanese gardens, Mt. Fuji, hot springs, festivals, try their local cuisine, and more! 2. 6-week Summer TEFL in Quito, Ecuador In Ecuador, your 120-hour online TEFL training will be accompanied by observation and teaching opportunities as well. You will spend time at a non-profit school for children and a local high school, seeing what teaching different ages and learning levels is like.
Shadow English teachers abroad and observe their daily activities, exchange with other English teachers from the U.S. to gain advice about how to get started, hear what their experiences teaching abroad are like, and so much more! Your time in Quito will include 40+ hours of observing, shadowing, and teaching English language learners in a classroom setting. The TEFL program in Ecuador is unique in that participants live with a host family during their time abroad, a great way to experience the culture, eat amazing meals, and to practice Spanish-speaking skills!
There will always be something to do in Chiang Mai. Whether you are wading with elephants in an elephant sanctuary, going bamboo rafting, visiting hilltribe villages in the mountains, or attending a Thai cooking class, you will be enriched and immersed in the culture.
Learn how to cook traditional Ecuadorian food, enroll in dance classes to master the salsa, cheer on local teams at soccer games, travel to volcanoes, cloud forests, and more! Spending your summer in Ecuador will give you a taste of {"A?":"B","a":4,"b":1058868816,"c":"DADnVuWhat can I do with a TEFL certificate after the CIS their rich culture and prepare you for your career hybrid program is over? RRZA","d":"PROD","A":[{"A?":"J","A":51.42716049382716,"B":83.5939 at the same time. Having your TEFL certificate and hands-on teaching 1276041663,"D":655.9876234968044,"C":375.04197530864207,"a":{" experience gained from the CIS Abroad program 3. 6-week Summer TEFL in Chiang Mai, Thailand will 22V0H0v500h314.8V22zm-6.2 open doors for opportunities to teach English D":314.8,"C":500},"b":[{"A":"M314.8 A bustling city with over 700 years of ancient abroad or online after the program ends. 0v471.8H6.2V6.2h302.4V22z","B":{"C":"#f1e2e0"}}],"c":{"A":{"A":36,"B history, living in Chiang Mai will mean endless places to explore and people to meet. In Chiang To teach English in a foreign country full-time, most ":35.947,"D":242.816,"C":427.333},"B":2091.6007495132235,"C":1164 Mai, the teaching experience and preparation is positions will require you to have both a TEFL and a similar to the.3000846526966,"D":"A","E":"A"}}],"B":816,"C":1056} other CIS Abroad programs. 40+ completed bachelor’s degree in any area. hours of observing, shadowing, and teaching English will follow your completion of the 120The CIS hybrid program will prepare you with the hour TEFL online course. skills required to teach abroad. Regardless of your field of study during college, this program will teach you how to plan lessons, refresh and strengthen your understanding of the English language, and provide hands-on experience to equip you to lead your own classroom. Not only will you be awarded your TEFL certificate and earn the credentials to land a paid job teaching English to non-native speakers, you will experience an entirely new culture and see a new part of God’s world! Programs are available for students to complete during undergrad or post-graduation
Pavlova
There is much controversy over the origin of the pavlova, a meringue-based dessert with whipped cream and fruit on top. The people in New Zealand, where I studied abroad, are sure that they discovered it, or at least make it the best. I have been helping my mom, who is from NZ, make pavlovas since I was little, and I would like to share the recipe with you! – Emily Kruse, Student Advisor
ingredients
Base • 3 egg whites • cup fine sugar • 1 teaspoon white vinegar • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Topping • 2 cups heavy whipping cream • ¼ cup powdered sugar • Fresh fruit (usually strawberries & kiwi)
Directions: 1.
Preheat oven to 325° F.
2.
Beat together egg whites until stiff peaks form. Add white sugar slowly and continue beating. When the egg whites are stiff, then add vinegar and vanilla by folding in gently with a silver spoon, if available. Beat until mixture is stiff. Pile the meringue onto prepared baking sheet (parchment paper sprinkled with cornstarch) and shape it into a circle 1.5 inches thick, making the sides slightly higher than the middle.
3.
Place it in the oven. Turn down the oven to 275° F after 7 minutes of the meringue being in the oven. Leave it for 1 hour then check the texture; there should be no soft spots. If there are soft spots, heat oven to 250° F and then turn off, bake until finished. Take out and cool. Whip cream and incorporate the powdered sugar. Put the whipped cream on top and then decorate with fresh fruit of your choosing. A NZ classic combination is strawberries and kiwi fruit.
4.
One of the pavlovas I have made.