by Brianna Langley | Jan 15, 2014 | Opinion
They say when you travel, you should always keep a journal. And while I do plan on keeping my personal journal for my own sake, I also want my column for Lumination about my semester abroad in Santiago, Chilé, to be something like a journal for all of my readers to see. Now, that is not to say this column will be a jumbled mess of rambling, random thoughts and memories; it will obviously have more structure and preparation behind it than that. No, I use that analogy to introduce this column because the writing here will be conversational, and even borderline casual. If you choose to read this column, my hope is that you will be delightfully struck by the creative, colorful and free-flowing writing style, and that you will feel truly a part of the experiences and memories that I’m creating and expressing to you via the written word. I want my readers to know exactly what it is like to live abroad, and to feel as though they share in the valleys and peaks of that experience. My name is Brianna Langley, and I have been the lifestyles editor for Lumination Network since last August. I plan to double major in journalism and international affairs, and I am currently a second semester sophomore at Lipscomb University. My true passion is cultural and travel journalism, which is why I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do write this column during my time abroad here in Chilé. I chose to participate in the Global Learning program for one semester (three months) because travel is and will always be my...
by Kelly Dean | Apr 16, 2013 | News Slider
Because Hannah Passamonte grew up in different countries, traveling has become a passion. While traveling is a hobby of hers, it also has given her a mission to take on something bigger than herself: the education of the youth of an impoverished nation. Born in Kentucky, this freshman at Lipscomb University can’t necessarily claim Southern roots. With parents as international teachers, Passamonte has created a share of childhood memories that are very different from most, having grown up in such countries as China, Chile, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Guam. “Answering the question ‘where are you from?’ is always a difficult question for me to answer,” Passamonte said. At the age of one, Passamonte’s first move out the country was to Guam. When moving, making that transition from schools and a different home can be tough enough, but adding in a culture change can make the adjustment a tough process. Passamonte explained that her family is one of the main reasons she’s been able to make these changes so smoothly. “Moving is always hard, but one thing that really stayed the same throughout our moves was being together,” Passamonte said. “I honestly enjoyed it. It’s something that has been a part of my life throughout my life, so I haven’t really known anything more.” Of all the beautiful variety of countries she lived in, it is hard for her to pick a favorite location. From the tropical island of Guam to the deserts of the Middle East, Passamonte experienced more of the world in her childhood than most people have in their entire lives. When talking about Chile specifically,...
by Brianna Langley | Oct 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
On Saturday, Sep. 29, a multicultural global festival called the Celebration of Nations visited Franklin. The festival took place at the O’More College of Design in downtown Franklin, and the atmosphere was one of an open-air market, complete with food sampling and live music. “Going to the festival was definitely an eye-opening experience in many ways. As a dietetics major, it was awesome to try foods from different countries and to hear stories from all the different kinds of people,” said Trish Stocker, a Lipscomb freshman from Latham, New York. “Personally, I love getting to know new people and learn about cultures all over the world, and I can’t wait to get into the field of nutrition and see how food can tie all cultures together with a common love.” The festival featured a stage with live cultural music and performances placed in front of rows of shaded seating, while booths from different countries and cultural organizations encircled the chairs and the stage. When you first walked onto the small college square, the first booth you would see would be a booth promoting everything Norwegian. A very friendly Norwegian-American family ran the little shaded kiosk and welcomed anyone who passed by to step inside. An older man sat in the corner, cracking jokes and whittling a wooden spoon with his switch knife, while an older woman hospitably offered up traditional Norwegian treats (sweet, bread-like desserts and a cup of fruit soup). A younger woman stayed in the background, busily making up more tasty morsels so they wouldn’t run out throughout the day. After the Norway booth came the “Compassionate...
by Jeremy Keck | Apr 21, 2011 | News Slider
For years, Lipscomb University has offered its students the opportunity to study abroad. For the first time, Santiago, Chile was as option. Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city with a population of over six million. Those students who chose to journey to Chile returned this past Monday with a lot of positive things to say about their semester. “Best trip of my life. Best semester ever,” said Ashley Guinn, a junior bio-chemistry major. “It was a great experience. I loved traveling, getting to learn Spanish and learning about a whole new culture.” Kelsey Hopkins, a sophomore Spanish major, also described it as one of the best experiences of her life. “I definitely learned a lot of Spanish,” Hopkins said. “I met so many new and interesting people. Since I’m a Spanish major I wanted to become more fluent, so it was great getting the opportunity to hang out with some Spanish-speaking people.” Guinn expressed that being in a country like Chile has its share of differences from the other study abroad programs, like Vienna or elsewhere in Europe. “I think being in South America as a whole is a completely different experience,” said Guinn “Nobody spoke English. If you went to Europe you may find some people who spoke English.” Some of the places students got to go include Ester Island, the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. If you are interested in the possibility of studying abroad this summer, there will be a meeting in Ezell 109 on Thursday from 5-6 p.m. regarding that...
by Kathryn Claire Watts | Oct 6, 2010 | News Slider
How amazing would it be to go surfing in the morning and skiing in the afternoon? Take a trip to Easter Island, or to the Atacama desert? What if you could get class credit for it? Next semester, Lipscomb is introducing its inaugural trip to Santiago, Chile. Students who go on this trip will have the chance to interact with Chileans, sample unique cuisine and live in the world’s longest country, from north to south. The students will take humanities courses, as well as Spanish, and get to choose from several electives ranging from biology to PE. Linda Benthall, the on-site coordinator for Santiago loved the time she spent there last spring. “I visited Santiago in May and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the people and the country,” Benthall said. “The people are laid-back, fun and friendly. They have a rich political history. [Chile’s] geography is fascinating, as it’s the longest country in the world and is just over 100 miles wide. “It has a desert on the north, mountains on the east, glaciers on the south and an ocean to the west, creating a type of ‘island’ from the rest of the continent. It also claims a large chunk of Antarctica.” The Chilean adventure is just the latest life-altering trip offered by the university. “Lipscomb students consistently say that a semester abroad is life-changing,” Benthall said. “They learn so much about themselves, a foreign culture and God’s presence around the world. Students gain confidence, perspective and adaptability that is valuable for the rest of their lives.” Memphis native Matt Filchak, a French major with minors in both German and Spanish,...
