Office of Global Programs Newsletter – Fall 2020

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: Mrs. Jennifer Gilliland Field Director: Dr. Mark Reuber Global Studies Assistant: Mrs. Maria Morin Student Advisors: Caelan Ulke, Cameron Fahs, Madison Miller, Gracie Slye, Kacy Mann, Kate Claffey,

Jenna Crampsey, Sarah Matthews

We hope you enjoy our newsletter!

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San Sebastian, Spain

Life in Thailand

Studying Abroad during A Study Abroad Experience by Anna Cook COVID-19

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 What happens when you are studying in another country and a world-wide pandemic strikes? Here are the country travel, but itGCC alsostudents possesses some ofstudying the wildest couldbyhave this experiences of three who had their abroadadventures experiences one cut short Covid-19. side of heaven. I like to refer to it as a tourist’s dream. From motorbike riding in the haven Pai,Sebastián, to snorkeling sailing Ibackpacker’s studied abroad in ofSan Spainorthis paston a Pirates ship down in Krabi, to the spring.

Located in the Basque Country of northern beautifully intricate temples of Chiang Rai, Spain, to theit absolutely delicious and spicy cuisine Kacy Mann is a small, beautiful city nestled between the gorgeous found in the eastern provinces, to the roar of exciting city life in the country’s capital, Pyrenees Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.

I was Bangkok. There is so much rich culture to experience,San breathtaking sights to see, and Sebastian, absolutely enchanted from the moment I stepped out of the exceptionally kind people meet anywhere youfrom visit in Thailand. taxi, from the moment I left. to Living just three blocks the beach, the fresh sea breeze was a constant reminder I have a special place in my heart for Northern that I was nowhere near my home in central Pennsylvania.

Spain

Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, where I lived for a The first week, in my Spanish class, our first semester.

I attended Chianggrammar Mai University (CMU) assignment was to write an article summarizing through the program provider, USAC and had a a significant current events from the last week or so. I only marvelous experience. The staff cared for us students write about this now because one of my classmates chose to very about well and provided every bit of Athelp write the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. that possible, point, we as joked because it just seemed liketaken “another they about were itable.

This picture was oncrazy a trip thing in the world,” and life moved on because why would provided by USAC to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in something like that impact our lives?

Thailand. Mali, the Thai woman and USAC staff in this picture, I discovered to beoura lives sister inlike Christ and quickly For the next month, we lived just any other study abroad student in Spain. We travelled to nearby cities and countries, we sampled cuisine, and we got of to know our host-city inside and out. I even got became a very dear friend. the Welocal spent a great deal to play in a community soccer league with some of my friends from my program! time together as she introduced me to much of the Thai traditions. attended Coronavirus her churchwe had all joked about at the beginning of the It was culture not until and mid-February that We the mysterious together,started met throughout theItaly. week to France. get meals, study semester to creep across Then As the severity of the virus became clear, I could feel the impending One ofand my share friendshearts. from home Scripture,doom. talk, laugh We had justbeen livedstudying life in Florence, Italy when she got sent home after the virus spread rapidly in and around her city. As Italy locked itself down, France, our neighbor, together and it was a beautiful meshing of lives, started closing its borders and restricting travel. culture and faith. We stay in touch regularly and she will come to the StatesMarch to spend this Christmas with Then came the infamous thirteenth.

I was studying forme a midterm and an oral presentation when we got the our program been for the rest of the semester and we were to leave the country as andnews: my family!

Whathad a gift shecancelled is!

soon as humanly possible, no exceptions. Shortly thereafter, President Trump’s message saying that all Americans were advised to travel back to the States because going to The closemost the There is nothing more valuable or meaningful to me on this earth he thanwas relationships. border to foreigners broadcasted on TV. At God hearing pieces of relationships news, I do not with know others. if I was more important being my relationship with andthese thentwo from that, I am scared or more disappointed. It was a mixture of both, certainly, but I was devastated to leave my dream of certain that the only thingI going to heaven with will bewhich, the other soulswas thatlonger believed living in Spain early.

Though had stayed there for twome months, admittedly, than Jesus many to be Lord theirI lives asgrieving well. In that,stolen I livebymy life investing in and cultivating these people’s timeof abroad, started thelight two of months COVID-19.

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.

Travelling home, I was struck by how eerie the airports felt. There were people wearing masks, but it was new and not yet a widespread practice. They were busy and bustling, but there was a tension and feeling of worry that hung in the air. I usually felt excitement, anticipation, and a certain level of stress in airports, but this was an overwhelmingly negative feeling. In the nearly twenty-four hours it took me to get home from San Sebastiรกn, I met at least 10 other study abroad students coming home from around the world for the same reason as me, COVID-19.

In that moment, as much as I wished that I could have weathered out the virus in Spain, I became grateful to spend quarantine home in the States with my family. I know that Spain will always be there and that I will someday go back to finish my adventure there.

The world seemed to quickly change for everyone between the end of February and the beginning of March as Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases began to rise in Europe. I was studying abroad in Florence, Italy, located in the region of Tuscany. The epicenter of the virus was in Lombardy, Italy, about three hours away. When I had first heard about COVID-19 spreading, I was on a bus, on the way back from a weekend in Prague. I brushed off the news that COVID-19 was hitting, thinking that cases would not increase. Most of Italy’s COVID-19 cases seemed to be in northern Italy.

Sarah Matthews LdM Florence, Italy

Within a day or so, news soon spread of students being sent home from universities like New York University.

The fear of being sent home was greater than the fear of catching the virus.

We saw how things could rapidly change in a day. Nothing seemed certain anymore. I continued to attend classes, but the number of students in my classes were dropping quickly. Many students were being sent home either because of concerned parents or school policy. In one of my classes, I was the only remaining student.

On February 28th, I visited Siena with my roommate. Our housemate was on her spring break trip to Spain when her program suspended “in person” classes and she was told to go home. It was sad that we were not able to say goodbye. While in Siena, my roommate got an email telling her to leave Italy by March 6th.

Around the same time, my parents and I contacted Grove City College and at that point they left the decision up to us (this changed once Italy was changed to a level 3 on the CDC scale and GCC insisted that students return to the US). At that time, we made the decision to stay in Italy, wanting to see if things would get better.

My roommate and I spent the next three days exploring more of Florence before she had to leave. The city seemed quieter as most American students had left. My host mom and my professors believed that the virus was not a big deal and had faith in the Italian government to quarantine cities and regions as necessary.

Because Tuscany and Florence were not yet quarantined, it seemed like we would not be affected, but cases began to rise in Florence.

My roommate left on Tuesday and on Wednesday, the Italian government shut down schools across the country. My parents called me and told me it was time to come home. I was in denial at first, since the schools would only be shutdown for two weeks, but I realized that there was no certainty for how long the schools would remain closed. I decided it was better to be home and quarantined. I booked my flight home and was my way home on Friday, March 6th.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

I experienced no issues flying home. Security and customs in both U.S. and Germany did not ask if I was coming from Italy, only China and Iran. They also did not take my temperature or state that I needed to quarantine for two weeks. While I was sad that I had to leave Italy, I was excited to see my family and hoped I would be able to see my friends.

Looking back, it is astonishing how much can change within a week. I am relieved I was able to come home before flights began to slow and without any complications. While I wish those five-six weeks in Florence were longer, I am grateful I was still able to study abroad.

Cameron Fahs LdM Florence, Italy

Although my semester abroad in Florence, Italy was not exactly what I was expecting, I still wouldn’t trade it for anything. The spring semester was definitely a roller coaster, but I still made some incredible experiences with my time in Florence. My five-week study abroad was fantastic in every aspect whether that be the friends I made, the classes I took, or the overall adventure I went on.

On arrival, I was definitely nervous about making friends.

I had come from a very solid group of friends in Grove City to a city across the world where I didn’t know anybody. Thankfully, I was blessed to have my nerves put to rest as I immediately hit it off with my roommate and made some friends with other people through orientation events. It was such a cool experience since we were all from different parts of the United States.

Daily life in Florence was truly amazing. Everyday, I walked the streets of the Renaissance city passing sights that most people only dream of seeing. People were incredibly welcoming and making daily stops at the best panini and gelato shops were too difficult to resist. Life in Florence was genuinely an awe-inspiring experience.

Not only was life in Florence amazing, but traveling around Florence was just as much fun. Although I only traveled a few times, I definitely made the most of my time. Early in the semester, I visited Pisa and Assisi, both smaller cities Italy. Getting there by train was both so easy and so affordable. We took a daytrip to Pisa where we took multiple tours around the famous Leaning Tower as well as the museums surrounding it.

Next, my roommate and I explored Assisi for a weekend. Assisi is a smaller, older, and lesser-known destination, but it was absolutely enthralling. We explored castles, cathedrals, and underground buildings. With much less tourist traffic, Assissi felt very local and natural; I would definitely recommend a visit there! Last, we flew to Berlin, Germany, for our last adventure. Our flights only cost thirty euros both ways! We saw the Berlin Wall, toured the Reichstag Building, and explored the Sanssouci Palace. The German people were so very friendly spoke English very well. Overall, my few traveling experiences were incredible, and I wish I could have traveled more.

Well they say, “all good things come to an end”, but I did not expect my study abroad to end so quickly and abruptly. We first heard about Coronavirus cases in mid-February and a cluster outbreak in Lombardi, which is in Northern Italy. As students in Toscana (Central Italy), we thought that the virus was far away, so we thought were perfectly safe. How wrong we were! Each day we heard about how the virus was crawling its way towards Florence.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

“Although my semester abroad in Florence, Italy was not exactly what I was expecting, I still wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Well they say, “all good things come to an end�, but I did not expect my study abroad to end so quickly and abruptly. We first heard about Coronavirus cases in mid-February and a cluster outbreak in Lombardi, which is in Northern Italy. As students in Toscana (Central Italy), we thought that the virus was far away, so we thought were perfectly safe. How wrong we were!

Each day we heard about how the virus was crawling its way towards Florence. Slowly, travel became riskier and things were getting tense. There were rumors of students being held up in different cities and not being allowed to return to Florence. I even had to cancel a trip to Prague to make sure I did not get stuck there. By late February, there were cases in Florence and the once popping, touristy city became empty and desolate.

One by one, U.S. schools started bringing students home. Nervously, I discussed with my parents about the situation, and we decided that it would be best for me to come home. That same day I spoke with the Office of Global Programs here at GCC, and they had already decided to bring us home immediately.

My final days in Florence were absolutely hectic. I tried to balance visiting the major museums and sights I had not seen yet with packing and planning to leave. Finding a flight home was stressful as ever, but luckily my parents and the OGP helped me find a quick flight home.

In the aftermath of being sent home, resuming classes was confusing and often unorganized. The Italian school had never experienced anything like this situation before. There was definitely no precedent for it.

After the dust settled, the school ended up doing a terrific job going virtual and my professors were still able to teach effectively and demonstrate their passion for the students. Although we were no longer in Italy, they still made us feel like we were interacting with locals and learning in an international mindset.

Saying goodbye to Florence so quickly and abruptly was definitely hard, but I still treasure the experiences I had in my study abroad. Once things are safer and back to normal, I would totally endorse Florence as a terrific place to study or even just visit.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Spotlight on our new Director Mission work in the Dominican Republic with Students International, 2018

Mrs. Jennifer Gilliland

by Gracie Slye

By Gracie Slye

Having been employed the Grove City College of Global its newest employee, Mrs. Maria The Office of Globalin Programs would likeOffice to introduce Programs (OGP) for over seven years, Mrs. Gilliland has been Morin. I was lucky enough to ask her a few questions so that we can all get to know her involved in the travel and study abroad experiences of thousands better.

Morin was and grewofup Poland, and later moved to the U.S ofa little students.

This Mrs. past summer, with born the retirement Dr.inLois Johnson, she was promoted to Director the OGP. after meeting her husband whoofwas studying abroad. Keep reading this Q&A to find out

Inmore! this new position, Mrs. G has a vision for improving operations in the OGP by implementing a new software system that will allow students searchfirst for year and research abroad Q. This to is your workingstudy in the OGP,programs what is and your role there? faculty-led travel courses more efficiently. Additionally, Mrs. G A. I work in the part-time (afternoons).

I assist with global studies and support for office hopes that GCC willOGP be able to develop new international partnerships that willI offer more opportunities studentsinternational that are majoring in STEMrecruiting fields. Along with our new programs. also focus on assisting for incoming students, international full-time Global Assistant, Mrs. Maria Morin, Mrs. G believesparticularly in building bridges soIn that Grove students, andStudies developing exchanges with other countries, Poland. thethe mornings City College community can both bring its Christ-centered vision to the world and also explore all that this I am a faculty assistant for the Calderwood School faculty. world has to offer.

Although navigating study abroad options has posed new difficulties and uncertainties due to the pandemic, Mrs. G confidently faces these challenges head on and is actively seeking out ways to provide study abroad Q. What is something that most surprised you when you came to the U.S.? experiences to students in the future. Mrs. G believes that studying abroad is one of the most amazing opportunities available to GCC upon students and can of a lifetime.

Studying abroad and Poland being A. The biggest difference coming tobe thetheUSexperience was the amount of religious diversity. immersed in a different an extended of time is a “crucial parttown of a student’s is a Catholic country,culture even for more so duringperiod the time I grew up. Each had oneeducation, Catholic as students are able to see and experience things from a different perspective and worldview. Study abroad church, and that is where everyone attended. Here in the U.S., even small towns have several also fosters student independence and builds critical thinking skills.�

churches of different denominations. This is something that stood out to me as a positive

Mrs. G remains that GCC change from confident where I grew up. will be able to continue offering these experiences for our students in the days to come but says that we should be ready to embrace the inevitable changes that the pandemic will bring to international travel. We should expect that flexibility will be required and we should be willing to follow where the Lord leads us in the days ahead.

By Sarah Matthews

What is a

Faculty-Led Travel Course?

Why would you want to sign up for one?

We interviewed two experienced professors who are also travel course professionals.

Here they tell you all about their travel courses and why you would want to go on one once the world re-opens!

What types of trips have you led in the past, and do you hope to continue to lead these courses in the future?

Dr. Byun: I have led two trips: one to the Far East, Japan & Singapore, and another to the Near East, Israel.

Dr. Bardy: I have led over 20 travel courses in the past mostly to France with some stops in the UK. These have been courses in HUMA 301, SSFT 210/212, HUMA 303, and an assortment of others. My family is from France and have had strong ties to these origins and I love sharing it with students!

Which courses do you typically offer on your faculty-led travel courses?

Dr. Byun: The classes…taught on the Japan & Singapore trip are Christ Civ (HUMA 303) and World Religions (RELI 248). The class for the Israel trip is RELI 390, aptly called “Travel Israel,” a B&RS elective but open to anyone.

Dr. Bardy: I carry out the logistics for the travel courses and team up with faculty to offer courses in the Humanities (301, 303) and SSFT (210/212)

Israel

What is the cost of a typical trip? Does the cost include tuition, travel, food, and accommodations?

Dr. Byun: The Japan & Singapore trip costs around $5K, and includes tuition, all travel and accommodations, activities and excursions…except a few meals. The Israel trip is unique in that it is heavily subsidized by outside donors (chiefly the Museum of the Bible) and only thereorclasses before the trip? costs $1,800 (tuitionAre + $700 so). The caveat is that have Dr.you Byun: Yes. The Japan & Singapore trip has between 3-5 to apply to go and spaces are classes; the Israel trip has between 2-3 classes. limited.

Dr. Bardy: The courses…would meet…for 2 hours about 4 – Dr. Bardy: Typical cost is $4000 6 times in order to cover course material related to the site - $4250 including everything! that were going to be visited.

Are there classes before the trip?

Dr. Byun: Yes. The Japan & Singapore trip has between 3-5 classes; the Israel trip has between 2-3 classes.

Dr. Bardy: The courses…would meet for 2 hours about 4 – 6 times in order to cover course material related to the site that was going to be visited

What type of coursework is assigned before, during, and after a trip?

Dr. Byun: All classes will have readings and quizzes and/or an exam before the trip. For both trips, there are lectures during the trip at key sites, as well as some guest lecturers from those countries. Projects and journals are done during and after the trips.

Dr. Bardy: There typically is coursework prior to and after Are there classes before the trip? travel. There is usually an exam or two 3-5 before travel along with Dr. Byun: Yes. The Japan & Singapore trip has between classes; the Israel trip has between 2-3 classes. a paper and various reading assignments. During travel Dr. Bardy: The courses…would meet…for 2 hoursstudents about 4 typically – keep a journal 6 times in order to cover course material relatedanswering to the sitequestions posed by that were going to be visited. the teaching faculty member. After the trip there could be a paper that needs to be completed by a certain time France after our return.

How does the content of the class and the coursework integrate with what you see on a typical trip?

Dr. Byun: What better way to teach people about World Religions than to take them to places where Buddhism, Shintoism, Islam, Hinduism etc. are practiced? And don’t get me started on Israel. Suffice to say, it will change the way you read your Bible.

Dr. Bardy: Students are required to keep a journal. The journal is used to record answers to questions associated with sites we visit and local interaction we have. It is used to help students process their experience and is used for part of the course grade.

What are some excursions and trip highlights of trips in the past?

Dr. Byun: Hitting the street food vendors in East Asia; karaoke; bullet trains; tropical weather and beaches in Singapore; watching a student eat “dancing squid” (look it up!); watching the sun rise on the Sea of Galilee with students; our awesome Israeli tour guides… the list goes on. there(European classes before trip? Dordogne, Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandie, Dr. Bardy: In France:Are Nantes Studythe Center), Verdun, Paris (Notre-Dame, Versailles, Chartres, andbetween many more.

Dr. Byun:Louvre, Yes. Theetc), Japan & Singapore trip has 3-5 In UK: Edinburgh, London (various sites), Canterbury, Oxford. classes; the Israel trip has between 2-3 classes.

Dr. Bardy: The courses…would meet…for 2 hours about 4 – 6 times in order to cover course material related to the site that were going to be visited.

Singapore

Are there classes before the trip?

Dr. Byun: Yes. The Japan & Singapore trip has between 3-5 classes; the Israel trip has between 2-3 classes.

Dr. Bardy: The courses…would meet…for 2 hours about 4 – 6 times in order to cover course material related to the site that were going to be visited.

Japan

15 oz can garbanzo beans