Was your a transformative experience? Would you like to travel again in the same way, learning from locals and visiting off-the-beaten-path places?
Or have you heard so many stories of cross cultural that you want a taste of this unique kind of learning?
草莓社区 will offer to Israel/Palestine in 2017, and possibly Central America/Cuba in 2018.
鈥淭he alumni engagement office is excited to offer these trips to alumni and friends of the university,鈥� says , director of alumni and parent engagement. 鈥淲e want to continue to offer opportunities that allow for our alumni to interact and be lifelong learners.鈥�
Earlier this fall, Shank, in cooperation with the Cross Cultural Office and Linford Stutzman, began planning the 2017 tour. The two-week Israel/Palestine tour, led by longtime Middle East cross-cultural leaders Linford and Janet Stutzman, is Oct. 20 – Nov. 3. There are 24 spots available.
led a similar parents-and-alumni trip to the Middle East in 2011, which was met with 鈥渋mmense enthusiasm,鈥� he says.
Participants will travel individually to Tel Aviv. From there, they will begin a fortnight of learning and travel, to include lectures and discussion on biblical history, exploring archaeological sites, engaging in current social issues of Palestinians and Israeli Jews, and enjoying local food and the unique geography of the region.
鈥淲e will be staying in some of the same places as we use for the students 鈥� the very best locations, the favorite people, the most unusual,鈥� says Stutzman. 鈥淏ecause this is a much shorter experience, we will spend the entire time in Israel/Palestine, connecting with the highlights of the biblical story, history, religions, and current political situation in much the same way as we do with the students, but with less time.鈥�
Destinations include Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem.
鈥淭he schools, churches, mosques . . . fill the town with an air of that everyday festivity that is characteristic of small, picturesque towns,鈥� wrote student Diego Barahona while in Beit Sahour. 鈥淚t is this 鈥榚verydayness鈥� that especially brings to life the miraculous events of old that occured in this area.鈥�
Another excursion will be hiking part of the J 鈥渢o Cana, an Arab town that remembers Jesus鈥� first miracle,鈥� says Stutzman. The trail was founded by alumnus David Landis 鈥�04 with an Israeli friend in 2007. Anna Dintaman 鈥�05 Landis joined the project the following year.
Stutzman says that he and Janet love the impact they observe on cross-cultural participants.
鈥淭his potential for life-changing moments occurs in random encounters walking the streets of Jerusalem, around a meal in a Palestinian home, standing on the cliffs of Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee,鈥� says Stutzman. 鈥淭he enthusiasm and joy of travelers is our most rewarding part of the journey.鈥�
Learn More
Read more about EMU鈥檚 distinctive , one of the first of its kind in North America [history buffs will want to read t by Andrew Jenner ’04].
Visit the where students post photos and entries while on recent trips.
Read about the of the 2012 Middle East group.