News Archives - 2009

Summer study abroad

For many students, summer is time to take a break from study and focus on work or play—or perhaps both. Some Augsburg students, however, are choosing to spend a portion of their summer vacation traveling the world.

Through Augsburg Abroad faculty-led programs abroad, students and faculty are exploring the flora, fauna, and environmental politics of New Zealand, are using art and spirituality to learn about Italy, and are learning about ancient and modern identities in Egypt.

Check Inside Augsburg for updates as we follow these groups through their travel blogs.

Biodiversity and Environmental Politics in New Zealand and the Cook Islands – May 12-June 14

Led by biology professor Brian Corner and Joe Underhill of the political science department, students will explore the unique flora and fauna of New Zealand as well as the distinctive political culture that has made it a leader in environmental policy. The two main islands have a range of species found only in New Zealand (such as the kiwi, the "living fossil" tuatara, glow worms, and endangered giant land snail, to name a few). New Zealand is also home to the Maori people, whose culture and relationship to the natural world have shaped New Zealand's environmental politics.

The last three days of the course will be on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands (a former New Zealand protectorate) where students will study coral reef ecology and look at the effect of climate change on small island nations. Rarotonga, one of the least developed of the South Pacific Islands, has several excellent coral reef diving areas, and is deeply concerned about the prospects of rising ocean levels that could result from climate change.

Art and Spiritual Practices in Italy – May 10-31

Fifteen Augsburg students are studying art and spirituality in Italy with Tara Sweeney of the art department and religion professor Brad Holt. Drawing is taught as a meditative practice, while students look to the Assisi saints as demonstrating fidelity to a meaningful life not dominated by the search for riches. Students are also studying the spiritual practices of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi with Holt. The courses invite reflection on vocation, and each student received a Lilly grant to help fund this program. The group will study in Siena, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Pictured above is Sweeney and students on the steps of the Duomo or Cathedral of Siena.

Ancient and Modern Egyptian Identity – May 18-June 6

This program offers students a unique opportunity to study one of the most important cultures of the ancient world, while they experience how it intersects with important religious, political, personal issues of today's world. Students will learn the methods of history and sociology to examine how Egyptians of the past and present constructed, and continue to construct their identities. In the process, students will examine the construction of their own histories and identities to gain a better understanding of their place in another culture, as well as their own.

With history and medieval studies professor Phil Adamo and Mohamed Sallam, director of Pan Afrikan student services, students will visit historical and religious sites in Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Hurghada, and Alexandria.

Photo courtesy Brad Holt