We apologize for the delay in posting our Roman adventures. Between a very tight schedule and few internet connections we decided it best to wait till London to post for you. Now, where to begin….
Rome was everything we dreamed it would be and more! Whoever wrote, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” knew what they were talking about. At just over 3,275 years old, her ancient glory still shines. From the magnificent remains of the ancient world empire to the exciting energy her 60 million inhabitants exudes, Rome today is overwhelmingly fabulous to say the least. We were mesmerized by the Pantheon, the Coliseum, Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s, the National Museum, famous piazzas, breathtakingly beautiful art, lilting language and friendliness of the citizens. We were dwarfed by Michelangelo’s masterpieces, walked the same cobblestones of the Apian Way the Apostle Paul and the Caesar’s walked and quenched our thirst from the same ancient fountains as our Christian brothers and sisters of centuries past. And in one of our many light hearted moments, coins were tossed over our shoulders at Fontana di Trevi, the fountain made famous by the theme song, “Three Coins in a Fountain” from the 1960’s movie, Roman Holiday.
Oh! I almost forgot…we were in Rome to study weren’t we?! A wonderfully informative day was spent at Sapienza Universita’ di Roma where we were official greeted by Raimondo Cagiano de Azevedo, Deputy Rector for International Relations. Sapienza is 700 years old with aprox 145,000 students in Rome. The morning’s multimedia presentation was directed by Luciano Saso, Member of the International Relations Committee and Gaia Vallerini, of the Student Affairs Division. Our discussion centered on Rome’s participation in the Bologna Process and we were delighted to learn about a program within the Bologna Process we had yet to hear about, Erasmus Mundus. Under Erasmus Mundus, students involved can register at a participating institution and then travel to “sister institutions” to study, broaden and complete their degrees without the further need to worry about additional registrations, tuitions etc. Grant monies are available for students who wish to participate.
Discussion further evolved to how the global academic community involved in the Bologna Process can often serve as the “first look” at potential member countries in determining compatibility as a future EU nation; Turkey’s current work in establishing a seat at the Bologna Process table is one example as Turkey has yet to achieve membership in the EU. It was within the spirit of this discussion, Dr. Marinho and Luciano Saso agreed to pursue a future study exchange agreement between Andrews University and La Sapienza.
Early yesterday morning we bid Arevaderci Roma and headed off to the final stop on our tour…London. Despite a few blisters on our feet, we are all well and happy. Please pray for our continued safety as we prepare to come home.
P.S. We have free internet connection here in London and will be better able to post for you. Our first official stop today is Oxford University.
Tally Ho!
Lisa Greco
Group Reporter
Sunday, June 29 - Last day in London
Our final day in London - We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. We have all arrived safely home. Our flight from London-Heathrow was on Monday, June 30. Now we are recovering from jet lag. But all in all, it was a wonderful trip...the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you, Robson, for planning it for us.
Master's and PhD Candidates from Higher Education at Buckingham Palace
Pictured from left: Robson (Higher Ed Coordinator), Sadrail, Zach, Anna, Bridget, and Mordikai
2007 PhD Leadership Cohort
Pictured from left are four memebers of the 2007 Leadership Cohort who attend the International Study Tour: Cary, Collette, Kay, and Brenda.
2006 PhD Leadership Cohort
Pictured in front of Westminster Abby are Bill and Lisa who are part of the 2006 Leadership Cohort.
June 28, Sabbath at Newbold College
Pictured in front of Newbold College, the SDA College one hour out of London is part of our group: Yolanda, Nathan, Sadrail, Lisa, Eileen, Zach, Laura, Natasha, Karla, Mordikai, Collette, Robson, Brenda. Sitting: Sadu, Elissa, Rozenia
The Beautiful Newbold Campus!!!
The tour of Newbold College was amazing. The grounds previously were visited by King Edward VIII, but in the mid-1950's Newbold College moved from London to the current grounds. Pictured is our group at The Gardens. We all decided that we could live here.
Kings College
The highlight of many was to be on the campus of Kings College at University of Cambridge.
Serendipidous Meeting of Andrews University President
We had an unexpected but serendipidous connection with Niels-Erik Andreasen, President of Andrews University, in the heart of Cambridge during our campus tour.
Our Euro Tour
Zach, Karla, Laura, and Natasha point to where our tour has taken us.
Gelato....YUM!
Due to the fact that it was 90 degrees with 90 percent humity...and that we are in Rome...it was a "requirement" to eat Gelato daily. Pictured are Karla and Bill enjoying gelato at a Gelateria.
Priest-in-training Ted - Our New Friend
Cary, Lisa, Collette, and Brenda make a new friend -- Seminarian Ted. Ted recognizes our "American" accent because, he, too, is from Michigan. Ted gave us a walking tour to the Vatican, by way of the Pantheon (pictured).
La Sapienza University
Our group stands in front of a wall-sized fresco painting at Sapienza University with our campus tour guides.
Robson Receives Gift from La Sapienza
Natasha, Robson, Eileen, and Laura present talks at La Sapienza University in Rome prior to Robson receiving a copy of the University's founding document/charter. Sapienza is the oldest University in Europe.
Museums, museums, museums...
Evelyn and Ellisa take a break at one of our museum tours in Rome.
Understanding the Sistine Chapel Paintings
Prior to entering the Sistine Chapel, our group engages in a brief art history lesson to understand the paintings in the Sisteine Chapel
Vatican Square
Braving the 90 degree heat, our group visits the Vatican, Vatican Square, St Peter's Basicila, and the Sistine Chapel.
Figuring Out the Rome Transportation System
Eileen and Anna team up to understand where we are and how we get to the major Roman monuments. They're really good at it!
The Berlin Wall
Four sites of the erect wall still exist. Pictured at the wall is Dina with a local German man.
The Holocaust Memorial
The memory of the Holocaust has been memorialized in Berlin by this tomb-like sculputre that spans a city block. Silence and heartache are two common reactions at this memorial site.
Sabbath at the Adventist University at Friedensau
Der Herr Kommit! means: "The Lord Comes."
Berlin - Visit to Humboldt University
Friday, June 20, we visited Humboldt University. This is the University from which Eienstein graduated. Yes, we walked the same halls as this renowned person! The tour of the campus was wonderful. What we learned is that the German school system has more stringent entrance requirements, and faculty need to get research contracts to keep their teaching positions.
Meeting the with Administration from Humboldt University
We met in one of the Palace Halls at Humboldt University. We learned about the university educational system in Germany
Sipping Espresso at a Corner Cafe
Pictured from left are Collette, Brenda, Lisa, and Laura -- enjoying espresso, crepes, and French Onion Soup in Paris.
Afternoon at the Musee de Louvre
After the trip to the University of Paris, we were set loose at the Louvre. The weather was perfect! We just kept telling each other: "We're in Paris, and we're at the Louvre."
Tour to Universite Paris - Diderot - June 18
We visited the University of Paris - Diderot today. Professor Michel Delamar gave us a presention of the school, and then we were able to ask questions about the school system in Paris.
City Tour in Paris - Tuesday, June 17
We spent the day touring Paris, and recovering from our rugged trip across "The Pond." Our sightseeing included: The Arc de Triomph; the top of the Eiffel Tower; Cathedral of Notre Dame; and a little bit of shopping.
Our First Night in Paris!
This photo speaks for itself...WE'RE IN PARIS!
The 2008 International Study Tour to Europe Begins!
We're on our way! Here we are in O'Hare Airport..all ready and excited. We departed on Sunday, June 15 at about 4 p.m. We had to fly through London then to Paris...we arived safely on Monday, July 16, but didn't get to the hotel until about 2:30 p.m. Needless to say, we all took a nap before hitting the Metro for the Eifel Tower at night and a sunset cruise on the River Seine. WOW! What a site! The Eifel Tower at night, is amazing!
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