A cultural investment
Bethel University’s Study Abroad Fair promotes students learning through cross-cultural experience
By Sophia Bass and Lisi Skrien | Reporters
Bethel University business student Elly Tyberg sat uncomfortably in a small, unfamiliar cafe populated with locals jabbering in their native tongue. She scrutinized the cryptic German menu in her hands. With total reliance on Google Translate, she ordered from a server.
“Trying to pronounce German words is so hard,” Tyberg said, recalling her study abroad trip to Europe. “When we wanted the bill, we were stuck, and kind of had that awkward moment. ‘Now, how do we do this?’ ”
“I love study abroad. It’s gonna be crazy!” –Amanda Hamilton, Professor of Art and Design
This example of navigating an unknown and unfamiliar space is no new experience for students and professors who have participated in study abroad opportunities. Bethel’s Study Abroad Fair this past Thursday presented an array of tables littered with brightly colored images, cultural clothing and important trip details. Smiling professors and students stood ready to give their pitches for why students should join their department for the upcoming 2024 January interim, or J-term, trips.
“I love study abroad. It’s gonna be crazy,” Professor of Art and Design Amanda Hamilton said, describing the upcoming Art and Design Department and History Department’s study abroad experience.
Students can sign up for study abroad experiences within their major’s department, or, explore trips of interest outside of their focus of study. These trips can fulfill elective credits or a variety of Bethel’s tags.
“You don’t have to be a certain major to care about history or art. It’s part of our culture and how we understand each other in the world,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton co-leads the Art and History in North Africa and Europe trip with Associate Professor of History Charlie Goldberg. This trip abroad will cover various locations across Spain, France, Morocco and Gibraltar. Students who attend will interact with local artisans and grow more confident in their knowledge of cultural art and history.
“When you’re traveling with a group of people, it really helps to foster camaraderie like you’re all in it together.” –Charlie Goldberg, professor
Even more-reserved students find their place while studying abroad. The hands-on experience provides a natural way of bonding between students and faculty.
“When you’re traveling with a group of people, it really helps to foster camaraderie like you’re all in it together,” Goldberg said when recounting his experience from the J-term 2022 trip. “We didn’t have to have any bonding exercises to try to get to know people, because this is your pod.”
A handful of the study abroad trips at Bethel also give students the opportunity to build their confidence in storytelling. For example, the English and Journalism Department’s study abroad experience produces the Textura magazine. The upcoming trip will take 15–25 students to India with Associate Professor of Design Jessie Henderson and Professor of Journalism Scott Winter. Students will work in teams of three along with a fourth Indian student whom they live with for three weeks to learn and produce stories.
“That’s what makes this trip different,” Winter said.
“Being able to make something together,” Henderson said.
On trips like these, Bethel students will get to build real, impactful relationships with locals. Near the end of the 2020 Textura trip, an Indian woman named Murti the subject of a story about domestic violence and gender inequity — presented Bethel students with ballpoint pens as they were leaving her village. Winter recalls this moment and notes that he’s kept the pen, unopened.
“This woman gave it out to all of us. Every student. Because that’s the only thing she knew about storytelling was that they use pens,” he said. “She bought a bunch of pens that she couldn’t afford and handed them out to everybody then hugged them and did a blessing for each one of them.”
For J-term 2024, Bethel is also offering Ecology in the Tropics, European Pioneers in Psychology, Culture and Communication in Thailand and Science and Technology in New Zealand trips.
Associate Professor of Business Bruce Olsen is leading a trip to Europe, J-term 2024. On this study abroad experience, students will visit England, France and Germany, among others. They will observe international businesses and engage in cultural experiences.
“This is what they talk about 20 years from now,” he said. “This is what they remember about the college experience.”
To learn how you can get involved, visit Bethel’s Study Abroad Office located in Clauson Center 320A or follow the link here.
