Off to Europe!

It's been a while since I've written, with the contradictory busyness and relaxedness of the end of semester I haven't kept up the blog. But, this summer has a lot in store and I'm quite excited about it. As some of you may know my academic program includes a study abroad term, one term to be spent in Southeast Asia and the other in Europe. This summer, I'll be taking off to Europe for 2 months of amazing and intense learning.
The bus, full of students and professors, will be heading out tomorrow morning around 8 o'clock, and then begins the physical part of our European journey, and we won't step back on Canadian soil until our trip finishes July 16th.

What will we be doing? Well, we'll be making a tour of most of the major Western European Countries (Spain, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, France and Britain), stopping in some of the major cities to check out historical sites and world class museums. During the day we'll be traveling by bus or checking out the cities and museums, and at night we'll be hanging out, working on homework and then snuggling into our sleeping bags after zipping up our tents (yup, we're camping European style nearly all the way through).

What am I studying? The trip is a regular school semester adapted for travel, so I have a full five courses during this time. Courses are mostly history based, but the disciplines branch into literature (European myth), religious studies (reformation movements), Art (studying artwork and genius), and some politics (we're taking a look at the European Union). Overall, the courses look at the influences that have shaped western culture in ancient and recent history, and it's implications for us today, as both human beings and Christians (obviously HUGE effects on the Christian world through both Roman Catholicism and many of the rich traditions and notable saints, as well as the reformation movement and it's positive and negative effects).

What am I looking forward to? It is going to be absolutely amazing seeing first-hand the places and art forms of history. I'll have the opportunity to see paintings and sculpture by Michaelangelo, buildings by Antoni Gaudi, the cubism of Picasso and innumerable other works of art and historical artifacts. I hope I don't get too overwhelmed. I'm also looking forward to understanding and gaining insight into how all of this has affected the history of the present, and what it says about humanity, or does it say actually anything?

If you think of it, pray for this group of academia as we travel and learn together. There are always safety and adjustment issues when going to another country and culture, as well as logistics in a big trip like this. Also, pray that as students and staff we will glean greatly from our experiences in this journey and as we continue to learn what it means to be followers of Christ in a world rich and full of history. I will try to make short updates along the way. Thanks for your prayer and support as I continue on my travels and my learning.