Georgian Court University global education students and faculty recently visited China where they sampled the country’s past and present, and even caught a glimpse of the future. The June 2-17 faculty-led study abroad program was organized by the Department of Integrative Health and Exercise Science and the Office of Global Education Programs.
“The trip was amazing!” says Jeff Donnelly, M.L.S., M.A., who serves as interim director of library services for GCU’s Sister Mary Joseph Cunningham Library. The group was intrigued by the authenticity of ancient provinces like Xi’an, Luoyang, and Wudangshan. They also observed bustling, cosmopolitan life in Beijing and Shanghai.
“It was truly packed with a lifetime worth of experiences!” says Mr. Donnelly. “Getting to see the combination of historical, holistic, sacred, and spiritual sites blended with the cultural experiences found throughout the country made for a trip that was extremely valuable.”
For Georgian Court MBA student Catharine Giotis, it was a learning experience in a different way.
Although she was out of the country, Catharine was still responsible for completing coursework for her summer classes. That was especially hard to do without access to outlawed tools like Google Docs, Gmail, and other Web resources she was accustomed to using. Catherine got creative, using WhatsApp and other ways to participate in her Lakewood classes.
Overall, it was a journey—geographical and spiritual—she wouldn’t trade for anything.
“To be surrounded by one of the oldest cultures in the world, breathtaking views, and a nation filled with some of the most kind and generous people I have ever met was unforgettable,” Catharine says. “There are parts of the world from which we have much to learn. The simplistic way of life and value of good moral character that much of the Chinese culture embraces are things that will resonate with me forever. It was a privilege to experience China’s beauty.”
