Return of Semester Cross Culturals Inspires Excitement

Members of the Middle East cross-cultural have opportunities to witness many ancient edifices firsthand during their semester of travel, like this bridge in Israel. (Photo: Kristina Landis)

The EMU campus is pregnant with expectation for two groups of EMU students who are currently overseas. The 22-person Guatemala and US/Mexico Border cross-cultural group, scheduled to return Friday, April 18 at around 10 p.m., is currently finishing up their exit reviews in Honduras with their leaders Deanna Durham and Byron Peachey as they begin to reflect on their overall semester long experience in Latin America. Their reflections include how foreign experiences have shaped them, how they have grown in their Christian walk, and how their personal views have changed. Heidi Muller, a sophomore currently in Honduras, said, “Coming to this culture has definitely opened my eyes to the vast disparities in wealth and living standards in the world. We’ve seen such poverty and yet lived with such a happy people that it has definitely made me feel as if I could be a whole person without as much material wealth.” Sophomore Michelle Yoder reflected on her experience over the past three and a half months, saying, “I have come to value stories and how much they mean and how much they can help people. The history of violence here is amazing and so many of the people still carry fear because they have not told their stories.”

The 28-person Middle East cross-cultural led by Linford and Janet Stutzman will get back next week on Tuesday, April 22. During their remaining time overseas they will be in Rome, Italy where they will go to the Vatican, following the path of Dan Brown’s novel, “Angels and Demons,” and to a Roma Soccer game. A myriad of these cross-cultural students have pointed to the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis as a global human rights problem that they have become more aware of, and said that they have been challenged to grow in their opinions and views on Middle Eastern culture. Sophomore Daniel Miller said, “I have learned a ton about Islam and Judaism and the cultures that go with them. I would like to continue to learn more about the diversity of the world, especially in the global Christian church.” In addition to this knowledge, they will bring back physical and spiritual memories; Miller recalls “watching the sunrise at Hippos overlooking the Sea of Galilee” as his best memory.

The Guatemala cross-cultural will share their experiences in chapel on Monday, April 21, and the Middle East group will share on Wednesday, April 23. The groups hope that they will be able to share their experiences effectively to others while applying what they have learned to problem solving in both community and personal conflict.