What's Happening?
Seventeen students from Covenant College recently participated in an international May Term in Italy, focusing on Nonfiction Travel Writing. The program, led by Dr. Sarah Huffines and author Daniel Nayeri, involved walking sixty miles of the Via Francigena
pilgrimage route, experiencing the Italian countryside and Rome, and documenting their observations through writing. The first week was dedicated to walking through fields, orchards, and hill towns, with students noting sensory details in their travel journals. The second week culminated in reaching St. Peter's Basilica, where students reflected on the difference between being a pilgrim and a tourist. The final week involved a writer's retreat near Orvieto, where students worked on their essays and shared their experiences. This immersive program aimed to teach students to appreciate the details of a place and to develop their writing skills through observant and consistent practice.
Why It's Important?
This initiative highlights the growing trend of experiential learning in higher education, offering students a unique opportunity to combine academic study with international travel and cultural immersion. For American students, such programs provide invaluable global perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures and historical contexts. The focus on travel writing encourages critical observation, descriptive skills, and personal reflection, which are essential for developing well-rounded individuals and effective communicators. By engaging directly with historical routes and local environments, students gain insights that classroom learning alone cannot provide, potentially influencing their career paths in fields such as journalism, literature, or international relations. This type of program also underscores the importance of 'slow travel' and mindful engagement with destinations, contrasting with more superficial tourist experiences.
What's Next?
Covenant College is likely to continue offering similar study abroad programs, given the positive outcomes and the emphasis on experiential learning. Students who participated in this May Term will carry these experiences into their future academic and professional endeavors, potentially influencing their choice of majors, internships, or career paths. The essays and reflections produced during the trip may be published in college journals, blogs, or other platforms, sharing their unique perspectives with a wider audience. The success of this program could also inspire other educational institutions to develop similar immersive travel writing or cultural study programs, further integrating international experiences into their curricula. Future iterations of the program might explore different regions of Italy or other countries, offering new cultural and historical contexts for students to explore and write about.
Beyond the Headlines
The program delves into the deeper implications of travel beyond mere sightseeing, emphasizing the distinction between being a 'pilgrim' and a 'tourist.' This distinction encourages a more profound engagement with the places visited, fostering a sense of connection and respect for cultural heritage. By focusing on detailed observation and personal narrative, the students are trained to look beyond the obvious landmarks and appreciate the subtle nuances that define a place. This approach can lead to a more ethical and responsible form of tourism, where visitors are encouraged to understand and contribute to the local culture rather than simply consume it. The act of writing itself becomes a tool for processing and internalizing these experiences, transforming transient observations into lasting insights and personal growth. This educational model promotes a form of global citizenship, where individuals are not just travelers but thoughtful observers and interpreters of the world.
