By Rachel Deanne Sherman ’18
Shenandoah University’s for-credit, faculty-led Global Experiential Learning courses took students to countries around the world this summer, where they immersed themselves in their studies and new cultures.
- Belgium, France, & Spain | All Majors
- Belize | Physical Therapy
- Croatia | World Saxophone Congress
- Cuba | Spanish
- England | Theatre
- Greece | Performing Arts Leadership & Management
- Guatemala | Music Therapy
- Haiti | Physical Therapy
- Kenya | Physical Therapy
- Morocco | Occupational Therapy
- Rwanda & Uganda | Public Health, Education, & Health Professions
- Switzerland | Nursing & Health Professions
Rwanda and Uganda
Heather Lilley ’18, Anne Griggs ’19 and Kyle Hooven ’20 traveled to Rwanda and Uganda from May 24 to June 4 to look at health and educational systems.
I major in music, but I’ve got so many interests outside of that field as well. This was a great way to go abroad and serve others while still gaining knowledge and learning new things that apply to my future.”
Anne Griggs ’19 | Music Performance major, GEL Rwanda and Uganda trip participant
I went because I always wanted to travel while I was in college. I didn’t know if I would ever have the chance to travel to Africa at another point of my life, so I applied for the trip and I went.”
Heather Lilley ’18 | Nursing major, GEL Rwanda and Uganda trip participant
One of the projects that students completed while in Africa was giving local children fluoride treatments to help protect their teeth.
Many of the children will never receive any other dental treatments, and so it was a joy to do something that will hopefully protect the children’s teeth. I hope that our actions will make a difference in the lives of these children. I know that taking the time to serve in this way made a difference in mine.”
Heather Lilley ’18 | Nursing major, GEL Rwanda and Uganda trip participant
The students and faculty also strengthened their friendships during the trips.
The professors that came with us were amazing, from all the planning that went into the event to helping us with whatever came up along the way. We were even referring to them as ‘Mom, Dad and Aunty’ by the time the trip was over. They were a huge part of making the experience everything that it was.”
Kyle Hooven ’20 | Psychology major, GEL Rwanda and Uganda trip participant
Croatia
Shenandoah Conservatory Chair of the Instrumental Division and Professor of Saxophone Timothy Roberts, D.M.A., took a group of saxophone students to Zagreb, Croatia, from July 9 to July 15, to experience the 18th World Saxophone Congress, the world’s largest gathering of professional saxophonists, held in a different world capital every three years.
Shenandoah University saxophone students and alumni attended the World Saxophone Congress this summer in Croatia. From left to right: (Back row) Matthew White, Kurt Cox, James Milligan, Shengbo Lin, Sean McGinley, Raleigh VanNatta, Trevor Shrader, Drake Stoughton, Joey Speranzo, and Justin Kenealy. (Front row) Lauren Ficklin, Emma Flanagan, Nicholas Jackson, A.J. Milligan, and Professor of Saxophone Timothy Roberts, D.M.A.
I’ve attended every one of these events for 30 years. They offer knowledge and life skills that a student can keep forever. What I look forward to the most is helping these students open their eyes and their ears to what is going on in the rest of the world.”
Timothy Roberts, D.M.A | GEL Croatia Trip Leader
I got to spend a week in a beautiful country surrounded by my best friends doing what I love. Many of the pieces performed at the congress were world premieres by both well-known and not-as-well-known composers. It was intriguing to see the amount of people invested in writing for the saxophone and developing the instrument further.Having the best saxophonists from around the world play in one area was certainly inspiring as well. There was one performance in particular I heard with saxophone and choir that I thought was absolutely stunning. I certainly learned how well those two ensembles fit together.”
Drake Stoughton ’18 | Music Education Alumnus, GEL Croatia trip participant
Eurozone and Cuba
The Department of World Languages and Cultures led two separate trips this summer: one went to the Eurozone (Spain, France and Belgium) from May 14 to May 25, while the other, led by Professor of Hispanic Studies Bryan Pearce-Gonzales Ph.D., went to Cuba from May 13 to May 22.
I went on the trip because I have a passion for learning languages, and wanted to experience the cultures first-hand. I used my French and my Spanish skills frequently on the trip, which was great because, here, I don’t necessarily have a lot of opportunities to do that outside of class.”
Catherine Lupien ’19 | Vocal performance major, GEL Eurozone trip participant
My favorite part of the trip had to be going to the Buena Vista Social Club. It was our first night in Havana, and it was such a fun night. We all listened to old Cuban music and got up and danced, even though most of us didn’t know how. It was nice to just sit back and relax.”
McKensey Lavin ’20 | Elementary education major, GEL Cuba Trip participant
The people there were super friendly, and it was an experience I wouldn’t ever experience in any part of America. We met so many different people, ranging from college students to farmers. We stayed in hostels and other rooms for rent, which led us to meet other international travelers, including Germans, Australians and Norwegians.”
Amanda Cook ’21 | Spanish major, GEL Cuba Trip participant
A lot of students, I think, their eyes were opened to, not only what life is like outside of the United States, but also what that means as someone who is a United States citizen. I think they started understanding their roles as a citizen of this country and as a citizen of the world.”
Dr. Pearce-Gonzales | GEL Cuba Trip Leader
