Welcome to the Nazareth College Study Abroad blog, the blog of Nazareth students who are pursuing studies around the world. Founded in 1924, Nazareth College is a co-ed college with undergraduate and graduate studies in the liberal arts and sciences, and professional programs in health and human services, education, and management. The College is located near Rochester, New York, and currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students. For more information on the College, visit www.naz.edu.
June 30, 2009
Reflecting on our experiences in Novgorod
Tonight in class we shared a meal that reminded us of the hospitality we experienced with our host families in Russia. As we reflected on our experiences tonight, and connected these experiences to our practice as social workers it was amazing to see the depth of how shared journey of learning "through doing" provides us a way to think about the work we do with the clients we have the privilege to work with. This trip providing unique and valuable opportunities for growth and learning for each of us individually and collectively as a class. We learned from each other and from the new friendships we developed with our colleagues and host families. I am very grateful to each of you for your willingness to trust, take risks and be open to new opportunities. Each of us has developed new understandings of what cultural competence means and together through the open discussions we have had the unique opportunity to trust in each other as we have shared our experiences, stories and laughter. It was such a pleasure to travel with each of you, and you all served as wonderful ambassadors for our program, our profession and our country. Debra
June 25, 2009
June 24, 2009
Back in the States
Our Russia trip is sadly over! Before taking this trip I was excited for it to start, and curious about what it would be like. I was hoping for a great experience and this trip ended up being a lot more than I could ever had imagined. To me this experience has been almost indescribable. We have been home for two days and I constantly think about it and laugh to myself as I think of funny stories and times that we had. I tell my coworkers, friends, and family about our experiences and I am sad because they will never completely grasp or understand what we went through. I will never forget this trip and I wish i could relive it all over again. Dobry Vyechir. Paka. ~ Anna
Never Leave a Man Behind....
Friendship comes with many faces; some we recognize and welcome readily with open arms, while others we are reluctant to accept. Going to Novgrod reinforced this all too well for me. Regardless of where you are living, there are many good people and some characters you'd rather forget. The important thing is not to allow those few bad apples to spoil anyone elses chances of being your new "friend".
Traveling overseas requires alot of inner strength, trust and great faith. I found these qualities in myself, my cohorts and the wonderful people of Norgrod. I learned to have blind faith in others regardless if i couldn't understand anything more than "da" "nett" or "toilet", i learned to trust people in general, that they would have my "best interest" at heart and they did; i showed others exactly how resourceful i can be.
Through trials and trivulations in life on this journey I found some of the warmest, greatest and fondest memories that have captivated my heart and will inspire others for years to come. It was because GRCMSW who afforded us the privledge to go to Russia that I learn the true meaning and value of friendship. I learned to have faith in others and I think we all learn to appreciate each other in ways we never imagined.
Perhaps Novgrod wasn't the prettiest city, or the cleanest city or perhaps even the most technologically advanced but there are some many GREAT qualities about the people that live there, words could never do these incredible people justice.
If theres one thing i will hang on to through this exceptional experience, is to never leave a man behind, to give each and everyone a chance in life. There are so many truly wonderful people out there who have had such a profound effect on others, if only we'd give each and everyone of them a chance. By doing this we just might see how great life can really be!!!
Marji Stout
