July 1, 2008
Dateline: USA
I would be remiss if I did not post one final post as the group’s reporter letting you know we arrived safely on US soil to the smiles and hugs of Marji and Dr. Guilford. We left Robson behind…no, he did not miss the final headcount as we boarded the plane…he was traveling on to a leadership conference in the Netherlands, but not until he handed his trip leadership role on to Eileen for the final leg of our journey. After being up for almost 24 hours, we were ecstatic to pull onto Andrews campus.
Our trip would not have been possible, nor as enjoyable without the efforts and love of so many, including those behind the scenes we may not have met face to face, but who worked hard on our behalf so that we could have the ultimate learning experience. Please allow me to thank those who come to my jet lagged mind. Of course, Robson and Rozenia for their loving care of us as a traveling family and for their tireless work this past year making the trip possible. This lovely blog was designed by Rozenia, BTW, to Eileen for her administrative and academic support to Robson and the rest of us and for safely bringing us safely back across “the pond,” to Bridgette for her humorous bus “shake downs” of the group as she gathered tips for our various drivers and tour guides (Bridgette…have you considered doing fund raising for AU?? You’d be good at it!), to Bill Auxier, a proud member of Los Progresistas regional group who served as our comic relief and flag bearer, to Cary Valentine, Mordekai, Zachery and Bill who held court in the back of the bus (when we were blessed to have busses), to our tour guests Givan, Bridgette’s daughter and to John Schaff (husband to Kay) who showed us two different views of our experience…Givan through her photography and John his architecture, to Brenda for so faithfully and beautifully capturing all the highlights through her camera lens, to the roommates who put up with each other’s snoring, sneezing etc, to our tour guides and bus drivers who were sometimes a bit stressed out trying not to lose us crazy Americans in the crowds, to everyone who participated and loved each other and through that love gave no quarter to arguments or ill feelings. Last, I would like to extend a special loving nod to our smallest member, Sadu, whose exuberance and energy at age 7 was not to be outdone by his dazzling smile…thank you, Sadu, for daily reminding us to let our inner child out to be thrilled by all we experienced…and thank you Sadril and Malou for raising such a fine young man. (Please keep us posted as to which college he finally settles on so that we can all send him care packages!)
Last, I would like to say on behalf of the group…Thank you for your prayer support these past 2 weeks. Many were the times we clearly were aware of God’s hand and of the Holy Spirit’s intervention on our behalf. While we bring back many leadership challenges to tackle we also bring back an even deeper appreciation for this incredible country of ours. May we, as leaders, always remember the sacred trust we hold as citizens of America and the world.
See you at Roundtable!
In His Service,
Lisa Greco
P.S. Please forgive me if I have misspelled a name or fogot to specifically mention someone...it's the jet lag.
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!
