By Hayley Lewis
Forum on Feb. 14 covered semester long cross-cultural trips to Washington, D.C., Guatemala and Greece. Students were able to listen and learn about the different experiences that some of their classmates were able to go on. The forum covered seven different students and their cross-cultural trips.
Sara Poiry
(Left to right) Andrea, Karen, Celesta Hartman, Ethan, Jeremiah Yoder, Sara Poiry, Paige and Cassidy. Students from the WCSC semester long cross-cultural in Washington, D.C. Photo provided by Sara Poiry.
The first student to share their experience was senior graphic design major Sara Poiry. Poiry shared about their experience in Washington, D.C., and talked about the relationships they were able to create while on this trip. Poiry even mentioned how they hope those relationships will stand the length of time. Many of the relationships they were able to create happened in the living room of the Washington Community Scholars Center where all students within the program were housed.
“It was wonderful just sitting there and having people walk through and make conversation,” said Poiry.
Poiry’s favorite of those conversations happened with one of their housemates. The two were always the last ones in the living room and would talk for hours into the early morning.
Going to the district was a new experience and brought with it many responsibilities including housing. Students were given a list of jobs to choose from at the beginning of the semester followed by weekly house meetings. This allowed them to come together and go over any necessary changes.
Poiry ended her time expressing how much they enjoyed their time in the district and encouraged others to go on a semester long cross-cultural.
Celesta Hartman
Celesta Hartman at her internship with the Charles Sumner School Museum. Photo provided by Hartman.
The second student sharing their experiences was senior psychology major Celesta Hartman who also went to Washington, D.C.
Hartman shared how going on this cross cultural not only allowed her to grow her career but her mindset too. She noted that everything you experience and learn on your trip will last even after graduation.
“Cross cultural trips help you grow mentally, psychologically and professionally,” said Hartman.
Hartman’s internship allowed her to travel all over the city and make many new connections. She created relationships with everyone she met including metro drivers, research librarians, and anyone who worked at the library of congress.
“If you ever find yourself asking, “Why do the people who go on internships come back and seem so different?’” said Hartman. “Know that internships and these experiences afford you the opportunity to do something outside of your day to day life.”
Justine Lesniewski
The third student who shared their experiences was Justine Lesniewski. Like Poiry and Hartman, she also traveled to Washington, D.C. Lesniewski interned at one of the many police departments.
Lesniewski said that an internship in the district is not just “some dead-end job” but a way to shape your future and bring you connections that will open you to other opportunities.
After graduation, Lesniewski will be returning to the district for a job opportunity thanks to her semester cross cultural.
After Lesniewski returned from her trip she realized just how much she had grown up. Being on your own in an entirely different city brings you endless possibilities. You’re able to take in the town, the sports, the college culture and make it entirely your own.
“The WCSC experience gives you a chance to be hands on within your career and what it is like to budget, cook, clean and communicate with others,” said Lesniewski.
Leah Bowman
Leah Bowman after being taught the indigenous language by neighbor children. Photo provided by Leah Bowman.
Leah Bowman, a junior social work major shared about her semester in Guatemala.
Bowman said her time in Guatemala was one of the most challenging, eye opening and most meaningful experiences she has ever had. She was able to learn how to adjust to a different culture, build new relationships and step outside of her comfort zone.
For the first two months, Bowman spent time in Guatemala City and lived with a host family who soon became her family away from home.
Bowman shared how much she loved being with her host family. The talks with her host siblings, spending time playing games with her host niece and nephew and even the host family’s parrot were great memories.
A few of Bowman’s favorite memories from her time in Guatemala include trying and failing to make cookies using unfamiliar ingredients, flying kites on a roof during El Día de los Muertos and eating lots of tamales.
When Bowman was not with her host family, she was either exploring or taking classes. While her host mom served as her Spanish teacher, Bowman also took classes in global issues and eastern justice including the history of Guatemala.
Being in these classes allowed Bowman to form connections with other international students who were from other countries besides America.
While traveling Guatemala City she was able to have many different experiences including a tour of the center of the city and visit an organization that helps woman and children in the cities redzones. Redzones are areas with high levels of gang violence.
After Guatemala City, Bowman traveled to a city near San Diego, Zacapa where she lived with another host family.
While there she volunteered for another organization through the Mennonite Central Committee helping indigenous women and children in surrounding areas.
She worked on creative projects, home visits and assisted in workshops. According to Bowman, the home visits were the best part of her day. Workshops were also special as she was able to help children and enjoy many laughs and enduring moments.
Bowman also expressed the importance of relationships within her work. Specifically with one coworker named Laura who had many conversations with her about their shared interests.
Bowmans final week was spent traveling to the first Mennonite church in Guatemala and hiking and swimming in the world famous nature preserves.
“First, relationships cross barriers of culture, language and experience…second, scary things can sometimes turn into our most amazing experiences,” said Bowman. “Lastly, if you have the opportunity to spend time in a different culture, take it.”
Max Kennedy
Senior mathematics and business major Max Kennedy travelled to Greece for his cross-cultural experience. Kennedy felt at first that it seemed like a large task adjusting to a different culture and living there alone for four months. But after a couple weeks he settled into everything around him.
While in Greece English was spoken by much of the country even though it was not a required language to learn in school. The limited language barrier helped Kennedy adjust quicker to his environment.
Another factor that gave him an easier time adjusting was the housing arrangements. Kennedy was placed in apartment style living space with four to six other international students. This allowed him to connect with other people who were experiencing the same things for the first time.
Kennedy said the weather they experienced was unlike anything else. For some of the time it was snowing, which was unusual for Greece. Since it was snowing back home at the same time it gave Kennedy a sense of normalcy.
Kennedy spoke about switching to the Mediterranean diet and learning how much healthier Greek food is compared to American food. He ate many new types of meals while in Greece including gyro wraps and platters, kabobs, skewers and Greek lasagna. Kennedy said it was some of the best food he’s had in his life.
As a current university soccer player, Kennedy said going to a country where soccer is the dominating sport was an experience he will never forget. He was able to practice with the college soccer team and play in some exhibition games, which turned out to be a humbling experience.
“It was unlike anything I had experienced before, and I can’t wait to go back someday,” said Kennedy.
Taylor Dye
Senior sports management major Taylor Dye also went to Greece for her semester cross cultural.
Dye often travelled to downtown Athens where she visited one of the oldest neighborhoods in Europe. She also experienced the main attraction of going to the Acropolis. While there she saw some of the most “unreal” views of the city, which according to Dye pictures do not do justice.
Dye said she was given a lot of free time to explore. During this time, she visited Saint Germain and walked down many of the famous staircases. This is where she discovered one of their favorite gyro spots and went to the blue down buildings to watch the sunset.
Dye then travelled to Barcelona, Spain where she visited a cathedral, the Barcelona Museum and enjoyed a professional soccer game.
Her last destination was the Island of Crete, one of the largest islands in Greece where she went on an electric scooter tour of the island.
Elijah Zimmerman
The final student to share their experience was junior mathematics major Elijah Zimmerman. Along with Kennedy and Dye, Zimmerman also travelled to Greece for his cross cultural.
Zimmerman shared a lot about the classes he took while in Greece. He decided to take a lighter class schedule, so he had more time to experience Greece. His courses included Modern Greek, Statistics, Philosophy, Money and Banking, Alexander the Great and others.
Zimmerman noted that the classes he took were in English, allowing him to better understand the material. Although he did enjoy the times he was able to learn Greek in the classroom and use it in the streets.
The people of Greece were very patient and loved that he was trying to learn their language according to Zimmerman.
Classes were unlike those in America according to Zimmerman. Professors did not encourage notes, their grades were only that of their exams and the classrooms were a large mix of students from all over the world.
For Zimmerman going to Greece was a lifelong dream. Being able to see everything Greek, including mythology and history were the best parts of his trip.
Zimmerman shared his favorite memories from the semester being skiing, building a giant snowman, riding a train and ferry for the first time and playing with the soccer team with his friends.
This cross-cultural forum was a great way to introduce different semester experiences and the memories one can make in an entirely different culture. Therefore, encouraging underclassmen to travel for their cross-cultural requirement.
For more information on semester cross-cultural opportunities contact Elaine Suderman in the cross-cultural program office in College Hall or email sudermane[at]bluffton.edu.
