2008 Woodie Awards
Honduras here we come
By: Kyra Alexander
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Entertainment & Features
| |
|
Staff Writer
Are you the kind of student who would be content to go away from the luxuries of cell phones or Internet access for a month and a half?
If so, the Spanish department is offering ten students the chance to earn summer credit hours by studying overseas.
Spanish professor Weston Warren, known to students as Prof, will be taking the students to Honduras, combining school with missions work.
The Spanish department listed four courses that qualify for Spanish or elective credit for the May 9 - June 15 trip, taking place at the same time as North Greenville University's Summer Session One. Students can choose Spanish 2330, Conversational Spanish, Spanish 3330, Trip to a Native Spanish Speaking Environment, Spanish 3350, Cultural Study of a Spanish Speaking Country, or Spanish 3360, Advanced Spanish Conversation, to count towards their degree.
The trip costs $800 for room and board, $700 for airfare and normal tuition for the class they choose.
In addition to morning classes, Warren scheduled the students to do missions work in soup kitchens and with young children in the afternoon. They will also be helping two missionaries, Rene and Brook Pizzati.
The Pizzatis, International Mission Board missionaries who studied at NGU, will take the students to visit several historical and geographical highlights in Honduras, taking a break from schoolwork by visiting La Esperanza, the Mayan ruins at Capán, the capital city Tegucigalpa and the beaches of La Ceiba.
John Collier, freshman interdisciplinary studies, and Marla Davis, senior English, have signed up for the trip.
Collier said he is personally interested in this trip because he wants to begin a career working in a Spanish country after he graduates.
Collier and Davis said, "My goal on this trip is to reach out to people and impact lives for Christ and to learn more Spanish."
Along with excitement, the two are not without a few anxieties and fears.
"Well, I have heard that not a lot of pilots can land on the landing strip in Honduras because the airport is on a mountain. I'm just scared of missing the runway," Daivs said. " Also, not having a phone to call my family on."
Most cell phones come with the capability of making national calls, but few cell phones are ready to make international call right out of the box. International calling plans and expensive calling rates make it difficult for people who do not travel internationally often to use their cell phones overseas.
Without the convenience of cell phones, the group will rely on the numerous Internet cafes and phone shops found in many Spanish speaking countries. Warren said they do have some Internet ports that you can pay to e-mail or call anyone you want to.
John said he is not afraid or nervous about anything but anxious to get down there.
Both are excited about traveling with Warren. They said Warren has told them some interesting stories, which has made them anxious to hear more stories and see what exactly he is talking about.
With the credit he will receive this summer, Collier will finish his Spanish classes, and Marla will get an elective she needs so that she will graduate after passing her classes.
Collier and Davis said they are glad to have this wonderful opportunity.
Davis has never been on a missions trip and is happy to finally go to share the love of God with little children and other people and have a life-changing experience.
For more information, contact Warren in his office on the lower level of E.F Averyt/Paul and Mildred Wood Learning Center.
Be the first to comment on this story