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Volume 52, Issue 9 | thursday, august 31, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Students reflect on summer abroad Record number participate in Notre Dame academic programs throughout the world during break By KELLI SMITH News Writer
This past summer, some students set their sights beyond the United States. Some turned to China, Israel or the United Kingdom. Others looked to Russia, Ireland or South Africa. A handful focused on France, Brazil or Italy. Despite the diverse range of locations, they all had something in common: all were part of Notre Dame International’s (NDI) summer study abroad programs. NDI’s summer study abroad programs are short-term international excursions allowing students to learn abroad during the summer. According to NDI’s Director of International Programs Rosemary Max, the summer programs introduce students to the world.
“These programs expose students to a broad range of destinations and they open their minds,” Max said. “They come back knowing that they can navigate these places and be successful in them. The world is a big and complex place. It is also an amazing place. We want our students to see this and begin to understand this.” With 20 programs across 13 countries offered for the summer, Max said NDI opened multiple new programs over the past few years which allowed more students to study abroad in the summer. According to NDI’s website, last year 500 students participated in summer abroad programs as compared to only 313 in 2015. “Some [students] have not had an international experience and this may be their first and only see ABROAD PAGE 5
CHRIS COLLINS | The Observer
The Cinque Terre hiking trail in the town of Vernazza, Italy, is one of the many places visited by Notre Dame students during their time abroad. Notre Dame International offers programs in many countries.
Alumnus appointed acting CSC director By NATALIE WEBER Associate News Editor
In May, Fr. Kevin Sandberg was appointed the acting executive director of the Center for Social Concerns (CSC) for the 2017–2018 academic year, while Fr. Paul Kollman, the executive director of the center is on leave to conduct research. Sandberg, a Notre Dame
alumnus, said he has been involved in the CSC since its founding. During his undergraduate years at Notre Dame, he participated in the Community of the International Lay Apostolate (CILA) which Sandberg said helped form the basis for the CSC. Members of CILA volunteered in South Bend, went to Appalachia during fall break and spent summers in Mexico,
he said. “All of those things precede the existence of the Center for Social Concerns because the center came to be in 1983, out of three things: that student group, the Office of Volunteer Services and the Center for Experiential Learning,” Sandberg said. Sandberg said his new role see CSC PAGE 5
Professor discusses ethics By SOFIA MADDEN News Writer
Thana Cristina de Campos, adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa, spoke on the ethical issues and responsibilities surrounding the global health crisis in Nanovic Hall on Wednesday. Specifically, she discussed forging a new intellectual path to understanding the ethics of the health justice see HEALTH PAGE 4
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Katelyn Valley | The Observer
Thana Cristina de Campos discussed ethical issues relating to the global health crisis in Nanovic Hall on Wednesday night.
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Fall play to explore student stories at SMC By OLIVIA HERSHBERGER News Writer
The Tectonic Theatre Project, famous for the “Laramie Project,” will be directing a play at Saint Mary’s to be performed Nov. 9 through Nov. 12. Rather than having a single plot throughout the show, there will be multiple stories taken from interviews of students across campus. The interviews, which will tell the stories of Saint Mary’s students, will be modified into scripts to be performed by actors. At Saint Mary’s, they will be using methods similar to the “Laramie Project” by conducting interviews of students and how they see diversity at Saint Mary’s. Thespians Unplugged copresidents Stephanie Johnson, a junior, and Makena Henell, a senior, explained that the project is “collecting stories from alumnae and students of all walks of life” and that the main objective
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of the production is to explore diversity on campus. “This is a very artistic show we’re covering, it’s not a show like ‘Romeo and Juliet’ where they are there throughout the play,” Henell said. “So we are going to have a lot of interviews and have an artistic take on them, so come with an open mind.” Johnson said an objective of the show is to open the eyes and minds of the numerous students on campus, especially freshman. “I want to see conversations and dialogue started outside the theater, how first years are impacted and see how the project interacts with our school,” said Johnson. Henell said it is good to accept diversity as an advantage, especially for the freshmen who are adjusting to a new environment. “I think people are a lot nicer here and I feel like it’s because you have to stay inside during winter,” Henell said. “Though see PLAY PAGE 3
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