Office of Global Programs Newsletter – Spring 2022

Office of Global Programs Spring 2022

Going Global

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Spring 2022 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. Erik Bardy Global Studies Assistant: Mrs. Maria Morin Student Advisors: Tessa Nave, Elsie Park, Sarah Matthews, Hannah Evans, Keely McKlveen, Madeline Warburton, and Ambria Good

Paris in the spring

Interview with Joachim Schmarewski

Joachim Schmarewski is a German international student at Grove City College, majoring in sociology.

In 2018, Joachim graduated high school and went on a mission trip with his church and an American youth group. It was there that he met his wife, Grace. After the trip, Grace went back to her hometown in the U.S., and they started a long-distance relationship.

Joachim always felt out of place growing up. Even though he is a native German, he is half Brazilian on his mom’s side.

“One year I was the German kid, and the next year I was the Brazilian kid.” Joachim said, shrugging his shoulders. “It always came down to the World Cup if I was Brazilian or German that year.”

Joachim grew up in the rural town of Medard, Germany, in the Rhineland-Palatinate district near the French border. His hometown is a small town of rolling hills and wooded areas.

Medard has a population of about 500, and most who live there use public transportation and need to make it to the grocery store by 6 pm before it closes for the day.

He connected with the many refugees that settled in his town and appreciated their diverse backgrounds. Always interested in other cultures, Joachim enjoyed traveling to different countries such as France, Italy, and Croatia while growing up. When traveling to other countries, he likes to avoid tourist attractions and prefers to live like a local while he is there and see how they live.

Meanwhile, he joined the army since that felt like the best next move for him. Due to an injury, he was unable to complete his army time and started working in the landscaping business and at an American restaurant in Germany.

In 2020, Joachim decided that it was time for a change of pace and joined his sweetheart in the U.S. in order to go to college there. He experienced general culture shock upon moving to the States, but he took a leap of faith and began his new life here.

After receiving his GED and taking the ACT, he enrolled at Boyce College, a Christian university located in Louisville, Kentucky. As Joachim explained, he was looking for a different college after completing his first year there. He was interested in a college that did not accept government funding, and he heard of Grove City College through a wife’s friend.

As a transfer student in his sophomore year, Joachim joined the sociology department at Grove City College. He explained that he loves studying people and getting to know their cultures and customs.

“I always really liked everything that has to do with different cultures and societies,” he said. “I grew up multicultural,” he added, referring to his biracial background.

Last July, in 2021, Joachim married his wife, Grace. They live in an apartment off campus, and he commutes to school while his wife commutes to work. His post-graduation plans are to stay here in the States and to get his master’s degree in sociology.

When asked for any advice he’d give to students looking to study abroad or visit another country, Joachim said, “Always be open-minded. Every culture is nice; it might be different, and you might have to step out of your comfort zone. But if you do, you’ll find something that you like.”

Joachim's advice is reflected in his own journey to the United States and Grove City College, and through his story comes the reminder that sometimes, taking extraordinary leaps of faith can lead to the grandest of adventures.

Study Abroad in Florence, Italy Ambria Good Studying abroad was every bit what I expected it to be yet nothing like I thought it was. Through the experience, I hoped to grow as an individual and in my knowledge and understanding of the world and other cultures. Growth was certainly inevitable but it came in ways that I couldn’t have planned even if I had tried.

I studied abroad for the fall semester of my junior year in Florence, Italy with Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) International Institute. I’m an Accounting & Marketing double major, and it was invaluable being able to take classes such as Global Business, Advertising, Consumer Behavior, and Integrated Marketing Communications with students and professors from across the globe. My History of Architecture class is one that I’ll never forget, spending the latter half of each class walking around Florence and studying the structures we were just discussing in the classroom.

One of my favorite aspects of studying abroad, the one which I was most excited for, was the ability to travel throughout Europe every weekend. LdM operated on a four-day week which allowed for the perfect balance between work and adventure.

Despite the rise of COVID cases towards the end of the semester, I was able to travel a substantial amount to several countries including France, Switzerland, Germany, and Spain, and a considerable amount throughout Italy as well. Each trip was unique and incredible in its own way, but the weekend Switzerland was one of my favorites. It’s difficult finding the words to describe how I felt visiting the old Swiss towns my relatives were from, experiencing the culture that shaped the family traditions I grew up with.

Every and any student that has the ability to study abroad should take full advantage of the opportunity. I guarantee that spending a semester, or even just two weeks, abroad is not something that will be regretted. The cost of not going on a trip is paid in the experiences, memories, photographs, that are left uncollected. Make memorable moments, push yourself far beyond your comfort zone, and explore the world and cultures around you.

He was asked to start a Bible study while in Arkansas and that offered him the opportunity to connect with other Asian students at his college and help them adjust to a new culture. Every Saturday afternoon, twenty to thirty students would cram into his apartment for a Bible study (and maybe some hot pot, a traditional Chinese dish, too.)

Even though many of his peers began working at larger companies like Google and Microsoft, Professor Zhang decided to pursue teaching.

“I like to share and to interact with young students,” he explained. “They are the future of the world. Teaching is really something I enjoy.”

Not only is he passionate about teaching students about computer science, he’s also passionate about sharing his faith with them too. He’s able to do both here at Grove City College.

““I love seeing how really transforming Christ can be.”

It was hard for him to express his thoughts when he was in a country that does not speak his native language. “It is hard to express all that underneath stuff.”

That is why it was so important for Professor Zhang to connect with other international students because he can relate to them and speak from his own experiences to help them. He can feel their burden.

Professor Zhang hopes to get plugged in with the international students here at Grove City College.

He’s passionate about connecting with international students and helping them in carrying their burden as they adjust to a new culture and language in the U.S.

Cherry Buttermilk Clafoutis This classic French dessert is filled with cherries with a texture that hovers between cake and custard. It originated in the rural farming region of Limousin, France and grew in popularity in the 19th century until it was widely made throughout the country.

Ingredients 1/2 cup of sugar 16 ounces of sweet cherries, pitted 3 eggs 1 1/4 cups of buttermilk 1/3 cup of almond flour 2 tablespoons of flour 2 teaspoons of vanilla 2 teaspoons of ginger, finely grated fresh 1/4 teaspoon of salt powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch pie pan with unsalted butter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the sugar.

Arrange the cherries in a single layer on the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, remaining sugar, almond flour, flour, vanilla, ginger, and salt until smooth.

Pour evenly over the fruit.

Bake for about 50 minutes, until golden brown around the edges and set in the center. Test by inserting a toothpick in the center - if it comes out clean, the clafoutis is ready.

Allow to cool slightly, then dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

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