Study Abroad Course Offers Exposure to Ancient and Contemporary Cultures
Six weeks of intense learning and diverse experiences took place this summer for eight Truman students who participated in the East Meets West study abroad program led by Mark Appold, associate professor of philosophy and religion.
Students traveled through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel and the West Bank with time spent at ancient and modern sites. The study abroad trip also included two weeks of hands-on excavation work at Biblical Bethsaida, once a capital city in the Iron Age, but a small fishing village at the time of Jesus and home to five of his disciples. Truman is a member of the Bethsaida Consortium.
While in Israel, students lived in a Jewish kibbutz and on weekends visited historic sites from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean and south along the Jordan River to the Dead Sea.
Students spent four days in the Palestinian West Bank, followed by a four-day stay in a pilgrim house in Old Jerusalem. While traveling to Rome, Naples, Athens, Corinth, Istanbul, ancient Ephesus and other places, students gained insight and critical understanding of political, religious and cultural differences and ongoing efforts at conflict resolution.
This study abroad course carries six credit hours and involves preparatory meetings, reading assignments, book reports, a diary and research paper. For more information on future study abroad opportunities, contact Appold at mappold@truman.edu.
Pictured inside the Roman Coliseum from left to right: Mark Appold, Jordyn Williams, Samantha Wickam, Grace Curtright, Sierra Horton, Jane Rademacher, Katie Shannon, Caitlin McGrath and Brandon Bolte.
Students traveled through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel and the West Bank with time spent at ancient and modern sites. The study abroad trip also included two weeks of hands-on excavation work at Biblical Bethsaida, once a capital city in the Iron Age, but a small fishing village at the time of Jesus and home to five of his disciples. Truman is a member of the Bethsaida Consortium.
While in Israel, students lived in a Jewish kibbutz and on weekends visited historic sites from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean and south along the Jordan River to the Dead Sea.
Students spent four days in the Palestinian West Bank, followed by a four-day stay in a pilgrim house in Old Jerusalem. While traveling to Rome, Naples, Athens, Corinth, Istanbul, ancient Ephesus and other places, students gained insight and critical understanding of political, religious and cultural differences and ongoing efforts at conflict resolution.
This study abroad course carries six credit hours and involves preparatory meetings, reading assignments, book reports, a diary and research paper. For more information on future study abroad opportunities, contact Appold at mappold@truman.edu.
Pictured inside the Roman Coliseum from left to right: Mark Appold, Jordyn Williams, Samantha Wickam, Grace Curtright, Sierra Horton, Jane Rademacher, Katie Shannon, Caitlin McGrath and Brandon Bolte.
