2008 Photo Journals
Photo Journal #22
Uganda, Spring 2008 | Robin Smalt
During my junior year at Gordon, I spent four months living and studying in Uganda, Africa. As a double major in Biblical/Theological Studies and Political Studies, the people, politics, and religion of the developing world fascinated me. I was drawn to a world that was so different from mine. I wanted to meet and befriend brothers and sisters who had different presuppositions about faith and life, who had struggled with different things but had come to similar beliefs. I did not expect a semester abroad to answer all my questions. In fact I anticipated that my time in Africa would only further muddy the waters of my understanding, yet I knew that such challenges were necessary for my spiritual and intellectual development.
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Photo Journal #21
Oxford University, Spring 2008 | Scot Huber '09
The anticipation of a new culture, new academic expectations, new independence, and a new social and spiritual atmosphere was enough to excite and burden my soul, but the actuality of the experience stood strong in the face of expectations, asserting itself as nothing short of life changing. From tutorials with Oxford professors to walking through the beautiful gardens and parks dotting the cityscape, I became informed, challenged, moved and transformed beyond expectations of what a year can do. I hope these attempts at capturing the moments and scenery of my experience will give you a better sense of my year abroad and possibly inspire you to seek out the spires of this ancient place.
Photo Journal #20
Beijing, Spring 2008 | CJ Pope '09
As an economics major it didn't seem there was any place better suited for me than China-the fastest growing economy in the world. It was really exciting, then, when I found out I could study at Peking University through the Beijing Program of Asian Studies. Not only did I make a lot of good friends I still keep in touch with, but I learned to appreciate a different way of life.
Photo Journal #19
South Africa, Spring 2008 | Meg Dempsey '09
As a social work and sociology student at Gordon, I was very excited to spend a semester abroad in South Africa. Throughout the semester I learned more about myself than I ever imagined I would. In Cape Town we took classes at the University of Western Cape and also volunteered at local nonprofits in the area.
Photo Journal #18
Venice Summer School on Science and Religion | Dr. Craig Story
This was an opportunity for me to travel with my colleague, Brian Glenney of the Philosophy department. We participated in the Venice Summer School on Science and Religion, an international conference sponsored by the Templeton Foundation. The topic was God and the Laws of Nature. Personally, this was a great opportunity for me to work on my integration paper, which is one of the tasks assigned to all Gordon professors during their process of professional advancement. I hope you enjoy these pictures that hopefully may transport you, in a small way, to Venice, one of the most photographable cities in the world.
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Photo Journal #17
Wind Ensemble in Orvieto | Spring 2008
Text by John Skillen and David Rox
Photography by Daniel Nystedt '06 and Margot Rox
The Gordon College Wind Ensemble has taken several European tours over the last decade, even making a brief stop in Orvieto in 2006. But in May of 2008, the Ensemble made its base in Orvieto for five days, supporting the work of the Gordon-in-Orvieto program with concerts in the great cathedral of Orvieto and in nearby Assisi. Orvieto program director Prof. John Skillen and Ensemble director Prof. David Rox offer some reflections on the important contribution of a Gordon College performing group to the cultural and religious life of the site of a "Gordon In" program.
Photo Journal #16
Guatemala: International Coffee Seminar | Claire Kinnen
As we discussed coffee with the café owner, Fernando, I was given the task of translating the first portion of the evening discussion. It was my first official translating job, and more than a little above my level. "How do you say fair trade in Spanish?" "What's the word for organic again?"
Although a bit chaotic, the discussion was thought-provoking. I noticed one of the farmers, Juan, tense up when we asked about fair trade. "What is fair?" he responded immediately. He prompted us to continuously question what is truly just throughout the remainder of our trip. Someone in our group asked what we should pay attention to when we went to visit the coffee farms. He looked at me to have me translate, and told us to note the conditions of the workers. His face was so sad and honest in that moment that I remember feeling relieved that I was translating because I couldn't formulate a response. I wanted to assure him that we would and that it would make a difference but I couldn't.
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