Michelle

My cross cultural experience:

Because I am a Spanish major, next year (fall 2008) I will be going to Spain and Morocco for my cross cultural. I’m looking forward to studying in the university in Cadiz, Spain, learning some Arabic, and just getting immersed in the Spanish culture.

My favorite campus activity:

Celebration—the student-led praise worship service on Sundays at 9pm.

My favorite class at EMU (and why):

Last semester, my favorite class was Ruling Ideas for the Honors Program. Professors from different departments came in to share some of the “ruling” ideas in their fields to help us shape our own worldviews. We also looked at some race and gender issues. For our term paper, we designed our own project with the goal of looking at the world from a different perspective. I decided to be blind for a weekend. As a whole, Ruling Ideas allowed me to critically think about the ideas/beliefs that shape our world, and it really broadened my scope of thinking.

This semester, my favorite class is Community Learning in Hispanic Education. The class is taught in Spanish and we are studying immigration. I’ve learned a lot already about the different issues facing immigrants and how we as Christians should respond to the government’s ideas of immigration reform and how we can provide aid to those immigrants in need. We also have to complete 30 hours of Community Learning as well—I have enjoyed working with an adult ESL class in the evenings.

My favorite EMU memory so far:

I can’t really pick out a favorite one at the moment…there are so many—traveling with the track team, doing cartwheels down the halls of Northlawn, hall activities

My favorite intramural season:

My favorite intramural season would have to be dodgeball, partially because I haven’t participated in the other intramural sports this year because of track.

My favorite reason to get off campus:

To go to Kline’s and get ice cream. My roommate and I walk there (about 2 miles) on weekends when we have time. They have vanilla, chocolate, and the special flavor of the week—anything from pumpkin to chocolate peanut butter to chocolate chip cookie dough. Kline’s serves the best ice cream I’ve ever had.

My favorite residence hall:

I have only ever lived in Northlawn, but I like it a lot. Some people call it “the nunnery” since it’s an all-girls dorm, but it’s really not that bad. Also, it has air-conditioning and is right above the dining hall.

The most surprising thing about EMU:

This didn’t surprise me, but it is something very different from what I experienced going to a public high school. The professors openly talk about their faith and incorporate it into their subject areas and their lectures. It challenges you spiritually and gives you a more complete education.