between a religious rock and a hard study abroad place: supporting students of faith

BETWEEN A RELIGIOUS ROCK AND A HARD STUDY ABROAD PLACE: SUPPORTING STUDENTS OF FAITH

Thursday, November 17, 2016

2

Chair & Presenters:

J. Scott Van Der Meid, Brandeis University Sarah E. Spencer, University of St. ThomasEero Jesurun, CIEE MadridKwasi Gyasi-Gyamerah, CIEE Ghana

MANY ROADS LEAD TO ROME..AND BEYOND

Sarah E. Spencer, Director, Office of Study Abroad,University of St. Thomas

REINVENTING STUDY ABROAD

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS• St. Paul & Minneapolis,

Minnesota• 10,245 total: 6,240

undergraduate; 4,005 graduate students

• 50% Roman Catholic• 4-1-4 calendar

5

CURRICULAR ALIGNMENT WITH RELIGION

Undergraduate Core Curriculum – Faith & the Catholic Tradition

Theology 101: The Christian Theological Tradition

200 level: “Faith Seeking Understanding.” Focus on a particular area of the Christian tradition, namely: the Bible, historical theology, systematic theology or moral theology

300/400 level: “Bridge Courses”Students bring theological concepts and methods into dialogue with other disciplines

Catholic Studies major/minor/Masters

Undergraduate Seminary - St. John’s Vianney (Philosophy & Catholic Studies majors)

6

Bernardi Campus in Rome• CORE semester

(fall)• Catholic Studies

(spring)• Seminarians (fall &

spring)• Theology 101 in J-

term

7

8

OPPORTUNTIES FOR ROME STUDY ABROAD

Intensive community, formation and cultural experience of living in the heart of the Catholic Church

Historic place of faith

Seminarians study abroad

Fulfills lots of degree requirements

Faculty know and trust the curriculum

Hard to say no

9

LIMITATIONS FOR ROME STUDY ABROAD

Traditional curriculum = limited intercultural learning & engagement

Community-based living and learning

Language acquisition

Community engagement/volunteer = only religious organizations

10

GETTING OFF THE ROCK

AIDS, Apartheid and the Arts of Resistance: Theological Reflection in South Africa

Islam in Turkey

Religion and Cultures in the Villages of India

The Church in Latin America

Pilgrimage in Italy: The Christian Experience from the Early Church to the Catholic Reformation

Theology 101 in Rome (hope to expand to Israel/Jordan in future)

11

SUPPORTING STUDENTS OF FAITH:

AN ON-SITE PERSPECTIVE

FROM MADRID

EERO JESURUN PH.D.

CIEE MADRID – SPAIN

Cultural Value Patterns

Sample Activities and Visits Ideas and Values

Place of Worship Sacred & profane; individual autonomy vs. community center; relationship with environment & technology

Cemetery Hierarchy & inequality; respect for spirits, saints & traditions; memory, heroes and history

Food Market Purity, cleanliness, health and diet; ritual and identity; wealth and abundance; tradition

Hard “Rocks” with Students of Faith

Academics Housing & Meals

Hard “Rocks” with Students of Faith

Antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-Christian viewsFree speech and religious expressionHolocaust and political correctnessMedia reporting of faith-based terrorismMicroagressions and local cultural practiceIndependent travel to Rome, Israel and Mecca

Thank you

Eero Jesurun: ejesurun@ciee.org

STUDENTS’ RELIGIOSITY AND ON-SITE SUPPORT IN LEGON, GHANA

KWASI GYASI-GYAMERAH, RD CIEE LEGON

Religions in Ghana

Population = 25,241,998 (July 2012 est.) Ghana Statistical Service (2012)

More than 95% are affiliated to:ChristianityIslamTraditional ReligionOther (Budhism, Shintoism etc)

Less than 5% are NOT affiliated to any religion

Religion in Ghana and the US

US

Ghana

Religious Inscriptions

Generally, there is no place for Judaism in the Ghanaian religious sphere

In 2012 a practicing Jew chooses Legon Ghana as the place to study for the semester/academic year

Uncertainties and questions start coming up: From the student From Portland and From Legon onsite staff as to whether the student can be

supported or not.

As a Practicing Jew…

Student has dietary restrictions as kosher is the way to go

No travels on certain days (Friday sundown till Saturday sundown

Observations of holidays: Yom Kippur Passover Sukkot Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah Rosh Hashanah

Then……

Student requests to do a homestay.

There were the initial automatic responses. Such as: Do we want this student to come to Ghana? Ask her to consider other countries That we cannot offer a homestay etc etc

We were stretched out of our comfort zones

Support

However, drawing on the goals and themes of CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership (ICL)

Staff shifted perspectives and saw this an opportunity for growth and development in intercultural competency skills

Pre-Arrival Support

Discussion and a Training Workshop for 2 of our longstanding hosts parents by drawing on the goals of ICL

Self-awareness

Cultural Literacy

Cultural Bridging and

Personal Leadership

Leading to granting of the homestay request

Pre-Arrival Support Continued

Identifying places of worship within the Ghanaian society where this student could worship.

A small Jewish community in the city of Accra was identified

Also the Jewish community in Sefwi, a town about 300kms from Legon, was also a resource staff provided

Identifying places like malls and eateries where kosher is sold or served. Quite a few were found in the city of Accra.

On-Site Support

Staff travelled ahead with student for overnight trips.

Leave with student Friday morning.

Observe Sabbath. Rejoin the larger CIEE group on Sunday

On-Site Support Continued

Much as this was a challenging intercultural experience with specific reference to religion

Support from host families and onsite staff ensured that our participant was able to practice their faith in a religious culture that is significantly different without losing any sense of self, faith nor belief system.

A TRUISM…

This experience supports the old wise saying that “Where there is a will, there is a way”

The will of the student to study in Ghana

The will of onsite staff to make it possible for the student to have a fulfilling experience

Led to the identification of ways and opportunities for success for the both staff and student.

Exercise: Porcupine and the Moles

THANK YOU

40

41